Laika monument - Soviet space dog

Laika was a Soviet space dog and the first animal put into orbit. Laika was an eleven pound stray mongrel found in the streets of Moscow. Soviet Scientists chose to use strays as they assumed the animals had already learned to endure extreme cold and hunger. Laika was described as quiet and charming by Vladimir Yazdovsky, the lead scientist of the project.

Laika's training included adapting to the confined space of Sputnik 2 as well as placement in a centrifuge to acclimate to acceleration of the rocket launch. As her time for launch approached, Laika was taken home with a scientist to play with children. Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky wrote, "I wanted to do something nice for her: She had so little time left to live."

On November 3, 1957 Laika was sent to space with scientists monitoring her vitals. Laika survived for four circuits around the earth, or 5 to 7 hours. Early on there was conflicting information from the Soviets on her demise, but in 2002 it was revealed Laika had died from overheating.

The monument is shaped like a rocket at the bottom and becomes an open hand, holding Laika.