The correct order of key events regarding the exploration of space, beginning with the earliest, is:
first humans in space, first space shuttle flights, first humans on the moon.
Here's a breakdown of those events:
- First humans in space: Yuri Gagarin's flight on April 12, 1961.
- First space shuttle flights: The first shuttle, Columbia (STS-1), launched on April 12, 1981.
- First humans on the moon: Apollo 11 mission with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20, 1969.
So, the correct option is: first humans in space, first space shuttle flights, first humans on the moon.