Laika

Laika was a Russian dog that became the animal from Earth to be shot into orbit around that planet. This stray dog was selected to be the occupant of the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2 and entered orbit on November 3, 1957. The dog died hours later, most likely due to a malfunction in the craft's environmental systems. The true cause of her death was not made public until decades later. This was a precursor to Earth's First Space Age.

This dog's journey was listed as a major accomplishment for Earth.