Soviet space dog Strelka. Strelka (meaning 'Little Arrow') was launched on board the Soviet Korabl-Sputnik 2 (also called Sputnik 5), the second spacecraft to carry animals into orbit. Launched on 19 August 1960, Strelka was accompanied by another dog (Belka), 40 mice, 2 rats and some plants. The spacecraft orbited Earth for one day, completing 18 revolutions. It re-entered the atmosphere and the animals were recovered successfully. Strelka later gave birth to a litter of six healthy puppies, one of which was given to American president John F. Kennedy.