Soviet space dogs Strelka (left) and Belka. The dogs were 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 (meaning 'Little Arrow') and Belka (meaning 'Squirrel') were accompanied by 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.