Laika, a female dog that had been found roaming the streets of Moscow, was chosen for the Sputnik 2 mission due to her small size and docile nature. The Soviet space program aimed to test the effects of space conditions on living creatures, crucial for future human flights. The spacecraft was launched on November 3, 1957, just a month after the successful launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. Sputnik 2 was equipped with various scientific instruments to monitor Laika's health, including heart rate and body temperature sensors.

The launch was a significant technical achievement, showcasing the Soviet Union's advanced capabilities in rocketry and space exploration. As Laika orbited the Earth, she became a worldwide symbol of the space race, prompting both admiration and concern. Her mission lasted about five months, but it was not without controversy; Laika died a few hours after the launch due to overheating, leading to discussions about the ethics of using animals in experiments.

The feedback and data gathered from Laika's flight were instrumental in shaping future missions, informing future spacecraft designs and ensuring astronaut safety. The story of Laika continues to resonate in discussions about animal rights and the moral responsibilities of humans towards sentient beings used in scientific research.