Space Dogs

In 1960 Moscow, a mysterious dog-catcher begins catching stray dogs and taking them away. Strelka narrowly escapes capture as the dogs are corralled toward an uncertain fate. The events set the stage for the dogs' surprising journey into the Soviet space program.

Belka the Samoyed is selected to fly in place of the circus pig Vova, who is too large for the rocket. The launch proceeds, but Belka loses control and ends up separated from the others, crash-landing near a payphone. There she encounters Lenny the rat, who is scavenging coins.

After the crash, Belka, Strelka, and Lenny are joined by three other stray dogs: Bula, Mula, and Pirate. The group attempts to flee, but by the next morning they are caught by the strange man hunting dogs. This marks the shift from street life to a Soviet space program path.

The dogs are transported to Baikonur, where the space program training center awaits. Kazbek, the German Shepherd trainer, must choose the two best dogs from the group. A month before launch, the initial picks are Bula and Mula.

On the final training day, Lenny comes in first, with Belka and Strelka ranked second and third. The flight crew is thus formed with Lenny as the lead dog, and Belka and Strelka joining the mission.

The expedition is prepared with Lenny, Belka, and Strelka heading toward space. During the mission, Strelka expresses a wish to stay in space because Sirius is part of her family. Kazbek reveals that he stowed away on the flight and tries to persuade the team to turn back.

A meteor shower is sighted and initially misread as approaching space dogs. The rocket is struck by meteorites and a fire breaks out, threatening the mission. The crew must respond to the crisis while in flight.

Belka jumps into the driver's seat to steer the rocket back toward Earth. Strelka assists in extinguishing the flames, keeping the crew alive. During the tense moments, Kazbek confesses his love for Belka.

The mission concludes with a safe return to Earth for the dogs. They gaze at stars and constellations as they approach home, and Strelka salutes Sirius in honor of her father.

The dogs receive a hero's welcome on return, but scientists reveal that Kazbek stowed away and the world will not be told about him due to propaganda. The public story focuses on the dog trio rather than the secret stowaway.

At the Kennedy residence, Pushok's tale is met with skepticism by the other pets. One dog notices the Cosmonaut Patch on Pushok's cushion and asks him to recount what happened after.

Strelka returns to live with her mother. Venya conducts conferences, recounting his own version of the events to anyone willing to listen.

Belka returns to her circus life as the main star, using the repaired rocket for a new act. Kazbek and Belka begin a life together after the mission.

Kazbek lives with Belka, and the two share a peaceful life after the voyage. The other dogs and people adjust to their new normal, honoring the extraordinary mission they've survived.

During the end credits, real archival footage from the Soviet space program and its dogs is shown. The sequence honors the true history behind the animated tale.