DOGS were the real PIONEERS in SPACE TRAVEL!

Early Russian space suit for dogs first used in the 1950's now featured at National Space Centr

With the recent retirement of the space shuttle Endeavour, it may be hard to imagine that it wasn't too long ago that humans took their first step into space. But before humans even stepped foot into the atmosphere there was another class of citizens that were volunteered for this task: DOGS!

During the era of space exploration, Russian scientist in the 1950's experimented with the unknown effects of gravity on living things and the first volunteers they grabbed were dogs. These were not just any type of dogs, they were stray dogs and was assumed that their ability to endure the extremes of weather conditions, hunger and their tolerance of sitting still would make them a better candidate than primates.

Russian Space Dog Malyshka poses in space suit | via Huffpost

During the era of space exploration, Russian scientist in the 1950's experimented with the unknown effects of gravity on living things

As a result, high-pressure suits were created to keep these dogs safe during their journey into space. The dogs were strapped into what today we might consider medieval-like suits, then launched approx. 50 miles (80km) into space. How did they get back? Via parachute. Some did not survive but many of them were reportedly happy when they landed, according to Kevin Yates, the Space Communications Manager at the National Space Centre in Leicester, England reported the Guardian.

left- Dog prepares for space launch at soviet base in Central Asia | right: Veterok & Ugoloik sporting space suits after a 22-day orbit in 1966

Laika on board Sputnik 2 known the world over for helping to Pioneer space travel

“At the beginning of the space race,
no-one knew how the human body would respond to being in low gravity, high altitude and the forces exerted during launch.”

“At the beginning of the space race, no-one knew how the human body would respond to being in low gravity, high altitude and the forces exerted during launch. “It's a very strange-looking contraption... “The clear helmet is shaped like a dog's head, with laces to tie it up like a giant boot around the body.”

Laika was a stray from Moscow turned overnight space sensation through Sputnik 2

On November 3, 1957, one dog emerged as the first animal to launch into orbit aboard the Sputnik 2 satellite. Unfortunately, she did not survive the mission but her name was known throughout the world as Laika. She like the many dogs during the experiment was also a stray whom was found on the streets of Moscow. Laika's landmark journey into space paved the way for humans years later as experiments continued to March 1961 with a successful return of "Ivan Ivanovich," the name of a life-sized mannequin and a dog companion crew member. One month later, this prompted the space flight of the first manned spaceflight of Yuri Gagarin, thus Laika's name was popularized during that era her name was used for many dogs.

The dog suit is believed to be the first of its kind and is currently on display in the UK at the National Space Center.

Watch the unveiling of the incredible dog space suit: