UNLIKE the US space-flight pioneers — monkeys who couldn’t handle the pressure and were nervous wrecks on their return — Soviet scientists found that Moscow’s stray dogs were far more amenable and relaxed about the whole extra-planetary  experience.

Street-wise ruffians, they displayed intelligence, enterprise and solidarity. Each candidate was observed for weeks before snatch squads stepped in and scooped them up and then they were put through rigorous training.

Space flight was not the first time dogs contributed to science in Russia — they were the research material of Nobel prize-winning psychologist Ivan Pavlov when developing his theories on conditioned response.

In November 1957, Laika — part-husky, part-terrier — was successfully put into orbit. Kissed goodbye on the nose by her handler before her space suit was sealed, hers was a one-way ticket because the technology for recovering spacecraft hadn’t been fully developed at the time.

Hand-painted Gzhel porcelain figurines of Belka and Strelka wearing cosmonaut suits and breathing apparatus

Three years later Belka and Strelka made it back safely and happily wagged their tails when released from the capsule. Each flight rendered invaluable data that pushed forward the Soviet space exploration programme.

Apparently, the fact that all space dogs were female had as much to do with onboard toilet arrangements as temperament — cocking a leg was out of the question.

Epitomising Soviet space technology and aspiration, Laika, Belka and Strelka became early celebrities, leading to the production of hundreds of fascinating memorabilia, from porcelain figurines to clocks, from matchbox labels and stamps to children’s books, cigarettes and confectionery boxes.  They even inspired the much-loved animation Zvezdne Sobaki (Space Dogs).

Set of five handmade and handpainted wooden nesting Matryoshka dolls. The largest is 15cm (6in) high.

Martin Parr’s photography affectionately documents this vast array of souvenirs, while Richard Hollingham’s engaging text provides informative historic context in a book that's a must for dog lovers and space exploration nerds alike.

Published by Lawrence King, £12.99.