In the world for all its history there were many known dogs, however not purebred dogs Belka and Strelka are considered as the most recognizable. This unusual couple of astronauts became pioneers and subjugators of space, having literally blazed a way to mankind in space.
Historically known flightBelka and Strelka became the first animals in the history of astronautics, having made space flight by the Satellite-5 ship and having returned to Earth safe and sound. The ship with brave sobakonavta was started in space on August 19, 1960 and made seventeen full rounds around our planet.
Flight took only twenty five hours then Belka and Strelka successfully landed at the spaceport.
The main objective of an experiment on space launch of the second space ship satellite represented a research of influence of space flight on a living biological organism. During the project such factors as overloads, long zero gravity, transition from zero gravity to overloads and back and also impact of space radiation on vegetable and animal organisms were studied. Besides, scientists made several medical and biological experiments and space researches.
Tests of Belka and StrelkaBefore flight Belka and Strelka sustained the most severe selection during which experts chose applicants, based on their age, sex, weight, growth, a color and even charm. As a result Belka and Strelka was included in the project where they became one of twelve participating dogs of a unique experiment. As the true astronauts, animals courageously postponed difficult trainings on transfer of overloads, stay in long isolation, to intake of special food and so on.
Dogs Chaika and Chanterelle had to become the first dogs astronauts, however their rocket exploded nineteen seconds later after start.
After the tragedy with Chaika and Chanterelle for a role of the first animals going to space their doublers – Belka and Strelka were chosen. In a month after the statement of their candidates, both dogs took off by the second Satellite-5 spaceship into a terrestrial orbit where they stayed more than a day, having flown around Earth seventeen full times. Having executed the mission, Belka and Strelka safely "moored" and became a world sensation, having visually proved that from space it is possible to return safely. After flight of a dog underwent rehabilitation and quietly carried out the remained life, comfortably existing at Institute of Aviation and Space Medicine. Thanks to data which scientists obtained from their sensational mission the following flight in which the person – Yury Gagarin took part was developed.