Sputnik 2 and Laika - animals in science

**sephodwyrm** · December 16, 2008, 10:42 PM

So eating meat is bad...

How about using animals for space travel testing?
Laika was mentioned particularly. Sputnik 2 was not designed for retrieving. Any dog who went up there is guaranteed death. Not to mention that the Russian Space Program, contrary to what people think, were also public spectacles as well.

But right after Laika, the Soviet space program was able to send up more animals and recovered them from orbit.

I remember reading about Laika when I was a kid. Back then I actually had a dog named Arriving Fortune and felt sorry about Laika but wished that I could send mine up there instead. Let's all remember Laika before biting into our big piece of rare steak.

**Chaigidel** · December 17, 2008, 07:21 AM

its cool they built laika a statue.

**Time Commander Bob** · December 17, 2008, 03:35 PM

It depends what is gained from using the animals in space travel testing. If the findings could affect human survival in space then I think that cost is ultimately worth it, provided that getting humans into space is also a vital mission (ie in order for A to be justified, it must be of utmost importance to B, which in turn must be a virtuous and worthwhile act)

**fieldmarshal** · December 17, 2008, 03:45 PM

This is pretty disturbing.

Bodyless Dog Experiment

**Lord Feloric's Ambassador** · December 17, 2008, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by fieldmarshal

This is pretty disturbing.

Bodyless Dog Experiment

...

Sick disgusting Humans!

I would show my Lord this, but I fear in his fury he will completely destroy Earth, forcing us to find another planet to occupy.

Which means I will have to be the one to avenge this poor canine.

**cupoftea** · December 18, 2008, 09:25 AM

I thought Laika was a golden retriever or labrador... not some jack-russel like dog.. But its nice that they show some respect to her

**sephodwyrm** · December 18, 2008, 11:03 AM

Laika was a golden retriever or labrador.

Laika was a street mongrel obtained from the streets. Obviously. The reason behind it being that street mutts are tougher and have some pre-conditioning to the tough training ahead. Then again, they sent Laika to space not because they hated her. They sent her up there because she passed all the tough trials including being spun around etc. She also managed to eat under those conditions. The weaker dogs were probably set free.

Btw, before the launch, one of the scientist brought Laika home to play with his kids because he knew she ain't coming back alive. I thought that was pretty touching.

**Chaigidel** · December 19, 2008, 06:20 PM

people love dogs, if you dont love dogs something is wrong with you.

they have been with us for 50 thousand years.

**Beanbee** · December 21, 2008, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by Chaigidel

people love dogs, if you dont love dogs something is wrong with you.

they have been with us for 50 thousand years.

So has herpies.

P.S. Disturbing experiment yes. Most biological experiments are aweful but bring great rewards to both human and animal life. If we never experimented medicine would never exist in any form as it does today. It's probably a case were we have to suck up our empathy for the greater good of life. You never know what you may find by experimenting.