Sputnik 5
Sputnik 5 (also sometimes called
Korabl-Sputnik 2) was the first
satellite to return animals from orbit. It was launched on
August 19 1960, and was in fact the second test flight of the
Vostok spacecraft. The two dogs Strelka and Belka returned safely to earth after 18 orbits.
See also: Sputnik program