She had died from overheating. It was an unlikely death, in the star-spark darkness beyond the atmosphere, where the outside temperature measured in single digits. Yet temperature in space flight was a tricky thing. In Laika’s case, a part of the ship had failed to separate. Torn insulation and a compromised control system had cooperated to simulate an intolerable summer day. She had died in hours.
…
“Fetch”
About the story: The story of Laika is one of the cruelest and most heartbreaking in all space travel. This is for her.
Inspired by a Tony Carey song.