Sputnik 5 was a Soviet spacecraft launched on November 3, 1957. It was notable for carrying the first living creatures into orbit, including a dog named Laika. This mission marked a significant milestone in the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The spacecraft orbited the Earth for about 5 days before re-entering the atmosphere on November 7, 1957. Sputnik 5 provided valuable data on the effects of space travel on living organisms, paving the way for future human spaceflight. The mission demonstrated the capabilities of the Soviet space program during the early years of space exploration.