March 25

This day in sketchtory, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 10, or Vostok-3KA No.2 in 1961. This was the final test before they would send a man into space for the first time in history later that year in April. Again, the only life form they sent was a dog, and on this mission it was "Zvezdochka" or "Little Star."

Along with dogs they would send a wooden mannequin, always named Ivan Ivanovic, which I learned is the Russian equivalent of John Doe. Ivan was ejected from the capsule, but Little Star made a successful landing. You'd have to imagine a dog would get pretty bored on such a mission, and it must be rough when your only company is a wooden mannequin. Can't play fetch all that well.