April 14, 2008 – 10:27 pm

Laika was a Russian space dog that was the first earthling to enter orbit in 1957. An unspoken hero in the planet’s space program was honored with a monument recently in Moscow.

Laika was a stray dog found on the streets of Moscow, and was chosen from a group of dogs for resiliency and good nature to be the occupant of the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2 to be launched into space on November 3rd, 1957. Since there was no way to design a re-entry vehicle in time for the launch, the flight meant a certain death. Laika died of overheating and panic during the first few hours of flight.

Russia have unvieled a monument for Laika recently, to mark the 50th anniversary of the canine’s flight. The monument is located near the Russian Defense Ministry’s State Military Medicine Scientific Research Institute where the dog was prepared for its historic flight.

There is a loosely factually based graphic novel, Laika , that gives a touching story of the dogs life. Written by Nick Abadzis, the artistry and flow of the graphic novel breathes life into the noble, yet tragic, life of Laika.