More than half a century ago the USSR accelerated the space race with the launch of Sputnik 1. | National Geographic UK

Sputnik’s launch in 1957 ignited panic across America. The Space Race was born, but so was an arms race...with the U.S. and Soviet Union trading nuclear tests in the open air. By 1962, the Soviets detonated Tsar Bomba, a 50-megaton monster, the largest explosion ever created by humanity. It was a time when fear circled the globe, and the Cold War burned just below the surface. | The Randall Carlson

In 1957, the Soviet Union made history by sending the first living mammal into space a dog named Laika. A stray from the streets of Moscow, Laika was chosen for her resilience and calm nature. She boarded Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957, marking a milestone in space exploration. Unfortunately, space technology at the time was not advanced enough to bring her back safely, and Laika died a few hours after launch due to overheating. Though her mission was tragic, Laika’s sacrifice provided invaluable