Laika still wants to home: honest story of the first dog astronaut

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Laika still wants to home: honest story of the first dog astronaut
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The dog Laika, the first living creature, having been on the Earth's orbit - our national hero. Her bold and tragic mission "Sputnik-2" when the dog became an unwitting pioneer of Soviet space program for more than 57 years ago, stuck in our collective consciousness. Her story became the basis of movies and songs, it has been immortalized in the monuments and commemorative souvenirs. Here is an honest history of the first dogs astronauts in the world.

Laika - is not the only dog-cosmonaut, who died during the Soviet space program; more than a dozen other dogs lost their lives to it. However, during the space race, fueled by the cold war, and NASA in the United States have sacrificed a few monkeys, strewn with their bones the way for people. However, several Soviet dogs astronauts  survived and returned to a relatively normal life. Left in the space behind Laika Belka and Strelka landed successfully and become true living legends in the USSR. Laika, Belka, Arrow and other popular dogs astronauts symbolized the heroism of the Soviet Union: the simple animals laid down their lives for the country's scientific achievements. Everything from stamps and envelopes and ending with children's toys, cigarette packs and cans of chocolates, were filled with images of fluffy icons.

Damon Murray, co-founder FUEL Design and Publishing in London, decided to create a book about the achievements of the Soviet dogs astronauts. He collected images using Olesya Turkina, senior researcher of the Russian Museum, wrote the text and gave it to the publishing house to his business partner Stephen Sorrell. The result was a great work of Soviet cosmonauts. Excerpts and images, we share with you in this article. On the questions raised by Collectors Weekly, posted himself Damon Murray.

As Soviet ideology influenced the Soviet space program?

Ideologically, socialism can not fail in any form; For this reason, the Soviet space program tightly kept secret. It was extremely important to keep a secret technological progress: the USSR and the US were trying to hide from each other by any events, which were prepared in secret, "surprise." Actually, it became known as the "space race."

Flying with dogs had to determine the impact of space on living organisms. No living creature as long felt not take off into space and landing on Earth or weightlessness. All this is thoroughly tested and studied by scientists of the Soviet space program, they had to determine whether or not for human spaceflight safety.

Why were choosen the dogs, but not cats or monkeys?

Dogs have historically been experimental in the USSR. Ivan Petrovich Pavlov was studying them reflex system and achieved brilliant results. Monkeys are also considered to be more like a man in many ways. Dr. Oleg Gazenko, one of the leading scientists of the space program, even went to the circus to watch the famous monkeys Cappellini; in fact, he persuaded Gazenko that the monkey is very problematic creation. They were in need of intensive training and many vaccinations were emotionally unstable. (A cat does not tolerated flight conditions that later proved to be true during the French mission in 1963). It was decided: the dog will be the first astronauts.

The streets near the research center of the space program, the Institute of Aviation Medicine in Moscow, have been selected for mutts. Stray dogs were considered more resistant than purebred dogs, because they could take care of themselves in the streets. They seized on the weight and size: no more than 6 kilograms and not more than 35 centimeters.

In the beginning, the dogs were sent to a height of 100 kilometers above sea level, but not in orbit. What do we know about these suborbital missions?

Dezik and Roma were the first dogs that went to the rocket flight on July 22, 1951. Scientists were excited when the dog returned safe and sound, and fled toward the landed capsule (although it was strictly forbidden), screaming "They're alive! Alive! They bark! ". Even the head of the space program, Sergei Korolev, known as the chief designer, allowed himself to grab one of the dogs in his arms and moved. A week after this dezik died with another dog Fox when its parachute failed to open the capsule.

The exact number of flights is still unknown, but it is assumed that in the period from July 1951 to November 1960 more than 30 suborbital rockets were launched. At least 15 dogs took part in these launches, died. One lucky - Bobik - managed to escape just before the mission. He was replaced by another mongrel named Zib - these were the initials of "Replacement of the missing Bobik."

What happened with the dogs after their missions?

After a successful mission, the dog is usually used for propaganda purposes. For example, the brave dog got its name after the fourth mission. She experienced a lot of flying and became the protagonist of the popular children's book, "Tyapa, Borka and rocket" Martha Eugenia Baranova and Veltistova. Some of the dogs were taken scientists who looked after them, because there was a strong bond between humans and dogs. For example, after his last mission dog Zhulka (formerly Comet) I went home to the leading scientist Oleg Gazenko. There she lived after twelve happy years. Other dogs Belka and Strelka, like the rest of life lived in the Institute of Aviation Medicine. They were not just dogs, they were the first living creatures to visit space, celebrities, often appearing on television and radio.

These dogs were the heroes of the Soviet Union. They are valued and respected for their work for the benefit of the country and humanity as a whole. The belief in progress and the ability to self-sacrifice for a common goal became the basis of personal and public heroism, forcing Soviet citizens work wonders. For the sake of a great goal it was possible not only himself to sacrifice, but also of other living beings, who also possess such human qualities as courage and dedication.

What did the scientists and engineers of the dogs, which worked?

Differently. There are many different examples of how scientists have treated his ward. Once, when the chief designer found dog food bowls empty, he sent a guard in the prison. Perhaps this legend. The same chief designer, Sergei Korolev, whispered in her ear before-flight astronauts dog Chanterelles: "Most of all I want you to come back safely." Chanterelle died. Because of the secrecy surrounding the program, it was inconceivable that the four-legged heroes received a lavish funeral. Because scientists can not indulge in mourning. But there were exceptions. In 1955, after the death of his beloved dog Fox-2, Alexander D. Seryapin, the Institute of Aviation Medicine, has violated the rules and buried her remains in the wilderness, even secretly making a picture for memory.

Commenting on the death of Laiki in "Sputnik-2", one of the leading scientists Oleg Gazenko said that "working with animals - a source of suffering for all of us. We treat them like babies who can not speak. The more time passes, the more I regret it. We should not have to do that. We did not have learned so much during this mission to justify the death of this dog. "

As these dogs were eating and defecate on board?

The problem of feeding the dogs in conditions of weightlessness has been solved by combining nutrients with agar-agar, a jelly-like substance. This "jelly" could easily consume and to minimize waste. It was more difficult to find a convenient way dogs defecate in such unusual circumstances. Although their costumes had special vessels for urine and feces, it was difficult to train dogs to use them. They preferred to relieve themselves in the street, but it does not really in the room, not in the cabin, and, of course, not in a suit. This process was unnatural for dogs, and only selected those who adjusted to it. For orbital flights only selected knots, they are more suited to space, because they do not have hind legs bulge.

When and why did the Soviet Union beginning to publicize the experiments with space dogs?

Gnats, Linda and Baby were the first dogs, whose names were declassified and presented to the public in June 1957. They were in the uppermost layers of the atmosphere at an altitude of 110 kilometers above the Earth. The next step for the Soviet space program was the first orbital flight of a living being: Laika.

What did the scientists and engineers of the dogs, which worked?

The ideology of the space race led to the fact that not much time is left for the development of recovery before sending Laika into space. After a sensational start "Sputnik 1" on October 4, 1957, Khrushchev told the scientists that another satellite you want to run after the fast approaching fortieth anniversary of the October Revolution, 7 November 1957. "Sputnik-2" was prepared in a terrible hurry.

What was the world's reaction to the flight and death of Laika?

Laika flight caused an unprecedented love and compassion both in the USSR and in the rest of the world. People felt genuine sympathy for Laika. It is perceived as an innocent victim, caught up in the cruel millstone of the Cold War. Soviet children retold the story of Laika as a heroic creation, which it is, in principle, and was, kind and clever dog who went into space. Adults are reminded of the fate of her own. No wonder that on the bas-relief "Conquerors of Space", erected in Moscow in 1964, the image of Laika originated next to images of anonymous engineers and scientists, whose identities have not been established.

After the initial excitement that followed the launch of "Sputnik-2", the government needs to explain to the rest of the world, why Laika never return. Within seven days it was officially "alive", newspapers periodically publish reports about her health. After this period, followed by a statement that the dog lived in orbit for a week and during that time has served as a source of invaluable information about the possibility of life in space. Then it painlessly put to sleep. There were several options for an explanation of her death. Firstly, euthanasia entered remotely. Second, the food introduced euthanasia. Thirdly, on the eighth day she ran out of oxygen. In reality, due to an error in the calculation of the thermal conductivity, Laika gasped just a few hours after launch. This fact was 

discovered only in 2002 year. In the 1950s, the international press has accused the Soviet totalitarian regime and inhuman and offered to send to Khrushchev's orbit. In response, the Soviet press wrote about the hypocrisy of capitalist morality, exploitation of entire peoples in the colonies and racism. Despite all the arguments, the Soviet ideology was faced with a serious dilemma. Because to deny the death of Laika was impossible, the only viable option left to perpetuate it.

By the time of flight of Belka and Strelka, what changes were made?

Their capsule was equipped with a camera, which transmit images in real time from space to Earth. After landing, Belka and Strelka, released a documentary film about the preparation for the flight, including a live broadcast from space. The whole world watched as the Arrow of fun spinning in weightlessness until Squirrel quietly watched. Children's story "The Adventures of Belka and Strelka" accurately describes how the dogs were trained to wear tight-fitting suits, fastened by wires. They courageously endured cold and heat in the training capsule for a few days to get used to sit in close module, where they could not walk, just sit or lie down. Within the same module, they have learned to eat jelly supplied with an automatic dispenser. They spun on the carousel and learned to endure the noise of rockets, listening to his recording. They were seated on a vibrating table and forced to sleep in a brightly lit room. They even flew an airplane. But the most serious challenge for the dogs was a catapult-chair, from which they suddenly flew into space and landed by parachute. 

Initially, the mission had to fulfill Seagull and Chanterelle. But they tragically died July 28, 1960, when their rocket exploded on the launch pad. They were the best and favorite dog at the institute. Junior Lyudmila Radkevych later recalled researcher, however bright and wonderful they were, especially Chanterelle. Later, it was felt that to send into space red dog - a bad omen.

How was the flight of Belka and Strelka?

The launch with Belka and Strelka held on 19 August 1960 in 15:44:06. However, Belka and Strelka flying off container with twelve mice, insects, plants, fungi cultures, different microbes, wheat germ, peas, onions and corn. In addition, twenty-eight were cab laboratory white mice and two rats. Only after the first orbital circled was completed, the dogs began to bark. Vladimir Yazdovskiy, a leading biologist, researcher of the upper atmosphere and outer space, said that while the dogs bark, not howling, they are sure to return to Earth. A huge success was a direct television broadcast from the spacecraft, which allowed scientists to closely observe the dog in flight. But during the dog run behaved so quietly that if not for the sensors attached to their bodies, one would think that they were so. As expected, due to an overload on the rise, heart rate and breathing increased, but quickly returned to normal. Nevertheless, at the beginning of the fourth orbit Squirrel pull wire, barking and her sick. This reaction has played a key role in the subsequent decision to send a person only for a short period of orbital flight. Belka and Strelka were in flight for more than 24 hours, which allowed 

scientists to scrutinize long-term exposure to radiation and weightlessness on living organisms. On the 18-orbit, 20 August at 13:22:00, was ordered to re-entry capsule and the dogs safely landed.

What was the reaction to the return of Belka and Strelka?

After his triumphant landing they appeared on radio and television, their portraits are presented in newspapers and magazines. They were invited to a festive meeting with elected Soviet citizens. Politicians, prominent professionals, students, celebrities - everyone thought my honor to be photographed with the famous dogs. Portrait of two dogs dressed respectively in red and green suits, appeared everywhere: on chocolates, matchbooks, postcards, badges, stamps and toys.

Why the capsule were fitted with self-destruct mechanism?

The importance of advanced spacecraft technology means the inadmissibility of their falling into the hands of direct competitors of the USSR in the space race: the United States. During orbital spaceflight mission, December 1, 1960, the trajectory of re-entry module deviate from the programmed course. When the system registers the risk of landing outside the territory of the Soviet Union, onboard self-destruct mechanism has been activated. Fly Dogs and Bee, leafless Earth 17 times, were killed in this way.

What do we know about the "astronaut" Ivan Ivanovich?

Ivan was a dummy. He flew as Yuri Gagarin's predecessor, to treat a more accurate picture of the pressures on human spaceflight. He was dressed in the same orange suit, which later will put on the first cosmonaut. In his chest, abdomen and groin placed the entire spectrum of Darwinian evolution. In this "Noah's Ark", as it was called later, hiding mice, guinea pigs and a variety of microorganisms. Effects of space flight tested on these all beings.

As dogs have been immortalized, and their achievements?

The idea of creating a space of monuments to the dogs came at a time when they were first sent into space. But since the Soviet Union was focused on the future, the main symbol of the continued space program remained, and this ambition was not realized. After a person has been successfully released into space, the country's attention was completely focused on people, not on-cosmonaut dogs.The first monument to Laika in fact built in Paris in 1958. Granite column was erected in front of the Paris Dog Protection Society, in honor of the animals that gave their lives in the name of science. The inscription reads: "In honor of the first living being who has reached the space." In the column flaunts figure Laika, peering into the "Sputnik 1". In Japan, the image of Laika became the symbol of the Year of the Dog in 1958, which led to the production of a large number of souvenir Laika

Only in 2008, the 50th anniversary of Laika's flight into space, a monument appeared in Moscow. He placed in the courtyard of the Institute of Aviation Medicine, after the application of scientists who wanted to preserve the memory of the four-legged astronauts. In terms of art, this monument can hardly be called a masterpiece, although those who have known Laika say that the sculpture life-size bears a strong resemblance. Small dog standing on top of the rocket in the form of a giant open palm, aspiring to the sky. Palm sacrificial altar recalls that, in principle, not far from the truth.

As kosmosobaki influenced the opinion of the Soviet people about mongrel?

After the flight of Belka and Strelka in Soviet schools have initiated the lessons that need to be kind to the dogs on the streets; the price of food for dogs of mixed breeds on the main market in Moscow has doubled, as any pooch, but not very big, could become an astronaut. Even after the tragic flight Laiki Soviet citizens wrote letters to the government, offering himself to the role of astronauts voluntarily. Requests for permission to fly into orbit has increased after the successful landing of Belka and Strelka. Only yesterday, these mongrel scurried through the streets of Moscow, trying to find their own food supplies, and today their heroic mission completed successfully. They were ideal, and this ideal was quite a man: to sacrifice himself for the good of mankind, and if lucky, and become a hero.

What do we know about the "Bion" program?

Monkeys chose to "Bion" program due to the fact that their physical properties resemble human. Monkeys trimmed tails so that they can squeeze into capsules. Also, they were implanted into the brain electrodes. In his memoirs Gazenko Oleg, who was preparing to fly monkeys, wrote that it was impossible not to feel sorry for the monkeys, who were lying on the operating table with wires protruding from them on his shaved head. Monkeys were not very good. Last crew spent 15 days in space, from 24 December 1996 to 7 January 1997. Flight Lapicque cartoons and was organized by the Americans. By the time the Soviet Union ceased to exist, and with it ceased, and financing for the space program. After landing Cartoon died in the operating room after an adverse reaction to the anesthetic. The death marked the end of the cartoon monkey space program. The United States refused to participate further, although it was planned launch of another satellite with two monkeys. Experiments have been suspended due to public pressure and lack of resources. In 2010, a monkey Croche, a space veteran, has died at the age of 25 years. He and his fellow Ivashov stayed in space for 12 days in late 1992. He spent his last days with his offspring in the Adler Institute of Primatology and died an honorable veteran - the last monkey astronaut in Russia. However, in 2008, Roskosmos announced that monkey from Sukhumi could become the first being sent to Mars. This provocative statement provoked protests from the European Space Agency and animal protection organizations. Similar protests have arisen when the monkeys subjected to prolonged radiation offered by the program Mars 500. But now the Russian Federation does not support the idea of sending into space the higher mammals, especially dogs, and monkeys.

Perhaps Laika still wants to go home