CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 7/19/2019

Give in to international Space Fever with 'Soviet Space Dogs'

This 1972 postcard, depicting Soviet canine cosmonauts Belka and Strelka in the "cockpit" of their rocket, is reproduced from FUEL's universal classic, Soviet Space Dogs. "Belka and Strelka can be considered the first 'space pop stars.' Fortunately they are characters in a fairy tale with a happy ending. Following their triumphant landing, they appeared on radio and television, and their portraits were featured in newspapers and magazines. They were chauffeured to celebratory meetings with Soviet citizens: politicians, outstanding laborers, schoolchildren and celebrities—both Soviet and international—considered it an honor to be photographed with this famous pair."