1957 in spaceflight

Laika ( ; , ; – 3 November 1957) was a Soviet space dog who was one of the first animals in space and the first to orbit the Earth. A stray mongrel from the streets of Moscow, she flew aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft, launched into low orbit on 3 November 1957. As the technology to re-enter the atmosphere had not yet been developed, Laika's survival was never expected. She died of hyperthermia hours into the flight, on the craft's fourth orbit.

family of American missiles and space launch vehicles

historical period started in 1957

United States response to the launch of Sputnik

American ballistic missile

American small-lift launch vehicle

overview of spaceflight-related events of 1957

American rocket family

British sounding rocket design