The first human-made object to reach space is the V-2 rocket, developed by Germany during World War II. On October 3, 1944, a V-2 rocket reached an altitude of 189 kilometers (118 miles), which is above the Kármán line, the generally accepted boundary of space. This milestone marked a significant achievement in rocketry and laid the groundwork for future developments in space exploration. The V-2 rocket was designed by notable engineer Wernher von Braun, who later played a crucial role in the United States' space program, including the Apollo missions that landed humans on the moon.