FAMOUS RUSSIAN SPACE DOGS BELKA and STRELKA on STAMPS
On August 19th, 1960, Belka and Stelka were blasted into
orbit and later returned safely to Earth in a prototype of
the Vostok capsule which was being developed for
manned flights.  Given a sporting chance, Laika's canine
comrades successfully tested two critical systems, the
re-entry capsule and its parachute system.
Because of the successful return to Earth and the
on-orbit TV images, Belka and Strelka received a lot of
Press coverage and are well known space dogs, second
only to Laika.  After their deaths, the bodies of Belka and
Strelka were preserved.-(see above)  They are located at
the Memorial Museum of Astronautics in Moscow.  Strelka
is often sent out as a traveling exhibit by the museum.
Canine Comrades (left to right) Belka, Strelka and Laika are
the most famous Russian Space Dogs.
Belka ----
---- Belka
Strelka ----
---- Strelka
The preserved
body of Belka ----
----The preserved
body of Strelka