Long before astronauts inspired ticker tape parades, cosmonaut canines were literal “rocket stars” for the people of the USSR. Strays off the streets, these space dogs paved the way for human space flight – and became the beloved champions of a country in the throes of Cold War with the USA. This lively book tells the stories of high-flying canines Laika, Belka and Strelka – Soviet superstars who inspired a vast and quirky array of merchandise, from postcards to salt and pepper shakers. Written by famed photographer Martin Parr, the book is brimming with black-and-white and color images that capture the impact of these forgotten, four-footed heroes.