The correct order of key events regarding the exploration of space, beginning with the earliest, is:
first humans in space, first humans on the moon, first space shuttle flights.
Here’s the breakdown:
- First humans in space - This refers to Yuri Gagarin's flight on April 12, 1961.
- First humans on the moon - This refers to the Apollo 11 mission, where Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.
- First space shuttle flights - The first space shuttle, Columbia, was launched on April 12, 1981.
This sequence accurately reflects the chronological order of these significant milestones in space exploration.