The first man in space was the famous Soviet Colonel Yuri Gagagrin (19 March, 1934 - 27 March, 1968) of the Soviet Air Force (Военно-воздушные силы). On 12 April 1961, Gagarin...
Albert II, a rhesus monkey, became the first ever primate to reach space (altitude above 100 km) on the 14th of June 1949. his capsule reached an altitude of 134 km aboard a V-2 rocket.
The first object sent into space by the human race was the Sputnik satellite which did not carry any animal passengers. The first animal sent into space was Laika the dog. Monkeys came later.