Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word. In $$1969$$ two manned spaceships _____ into space from the first space station.

The correct answer is: B. launched

The sentence is in the past tense, so the verb must also be in the past tense. The other options are not in the past tense.

• A. launch is the infinitive form of the verb.
• C. launches is the third person singular present tense form of the verb.
• D. were launching is the past progressive form of the verb.

The sentence is about two manned spaceships that were launched into space in 1969. The past tense form of the verb “launch” is “launched.” Therefore, the correct answer is B. launched.