Lancaster-6-HOSTT By cmsnorth Jan 1, 1942 The German V2 was the first to reach space. Jan 1, 1947 The first animals (fruit flies) were launched into space. Jun 14, 1949 Albert ll, a Rhesus Monkey is sent into space. Apr 12, 1961 Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space. Jan 1, 1963 Project Apollo began. It ended in 1973. Project Apollo made six successful manned missions to the moon. Jan 17, 1967 The Apollo 1 exploded. Jul 20, 1969 Neil Armstorng and Buzz Aldrin became the first men in space. The Apollo 11 was their spaceship. Sep 17, 1976 The first Space Shuttle was built. The Space Shuttle was the first reusable spacecraft. Apr 28, 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger exploded. Apr 28, 2001 American Dennis Tito became the first tourist in space. He paid 20 million dollars to be a passenger.