Cosmic Critters: Laika—The Stray Who Became a Space Pioneer

Send us Fan MailBlast off with Wildly Curious as Katy Reiss and Laura Fawks Lapole launch into the incredible story of Laika, the first living creature to orbit Earth. This fearless stray dog from the streets of Moscow became a space pioneer aboard Sputnik 2, forever changing our understanding of space travel. But her journey wasn’t just about science—it was a tale of sacrifice, Cold War competition, and the early days of the space race.From the first fruit flies sent skyward to the wild world of animal astronauts, this episode kicks off our  explores the unexpected ways animals shaped human spaceflight. With a mix of humor and history, Katy and Laura unravel the legacy of Laika and the groundbreaking (and sometimes heartbreaking) missions that paved the way for human exploration beyond our planet.Whether you’re a space enthusiast, science history buff, or just love a good underdog story, this episode is a must-listen! Support the show🎉 Support us on Patreon to keep the episodes coming! 🪼🦤🧠 For more laughs, catch us on YouTube!Track a real wild animal. Support conservation. Feel slightly cooler than you did five seconds ago. Visit www.myfahlo.com to get 20% off tracking bracelets with code WildlyKaty.