A pioneering mission by the first dogs in space is celebrated in a new exhibition at London’s Science Museum.

On August 19, 1960, Belka and Strelka made history by circling the earth 18 times on the Soviet Korable-Sputnik 2 spacecraft.

Their trip paved the way for cosmonaut Yuri Gararin, the first man in space.

A still from Canine Space Travellers (1958). Photo: BFI/PA WireA still from Canine Space Travellers (1958). Photo: BFI/PA Wire

The exhibition, Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age, also features the most significant collection of Russian spacecraft and artefacts ever put on display in the UK. They include a spacesuit and ejection seat specially designed for canine space travellers.

Curator Doug Millard said: “Belka and Strelka’s mission was crucial to the success of the Soviet human spaceflight programme. These two canine heroes were greeted by an international press conference on their return to earth and the achievement heralded around the world.

“They became popular characters in Soviet art and literature and Belka went on to have a litter of puppies, one of which was given to the American first lady Jacqueline Kennedy by Russian premier Nikita Khrushchev.

Russian scientists believed they could build stronger bonds with dogs than with other animals, ensuring their obedience

“Belka and Strelka were part of the first squad of space dogs, trained as part of preparations to send the first human into space.

“The choice of dogs – man’s best friend – over other animals was based on rational reasoning. Russian scientists believed they could build stronger bonds with dogs than with other animals, ensuring their obedience, and that the mongrels from Moscow’s streets would possess the right survivalist temperament.”

A 1960 poster by Konstantin Ivanov titled The Road is Open for Humans. Photo: Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics/PA WireA 1960 poster by Konstantin Ivanov titled The Road is Open for Humans. Photo: Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics/PA Wire

All dogs selected for space training were female as this made it easier to tailor specialised clothing and toilet technology for them.

They also had to be small, weighing less than 7kg, and to be light coloured to make them visible to the on-board camera.

Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age represents a major collaboration between the Science Museum, the Russian State Museum Exhibition Centre Rosizo and the Russian Federal Space Agency, Roscosmos.

The exhibition opens on September 18 and runs until March 13.

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