space exploration By JDCRUZ Jan 8, 1610 the first spotting of the moon throught a telescope by Galileo Galilei Feb 20, 1947 First animal launcehed into space (fruit flie) by the US Nov 3, 1957 First animal launched into orbit,Dog named laika launched by the ussr and did not return alive Aug 20, 1960 First plants and animal that came back alive from earths orbit Jun 16, 1963 first woman in space by ussr Jul 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Apr 12, 1981 first reusable manned spacecraft Feb 14, 1990 First picture of the whole solor system