Here are a few contenders:
* The Salyut 1 (1971): This was the first space station launched by the Soviet Union. It was intended for scientific research and included a docking module for spacecraft.
* Skylab (1973): This was the first US space station, and it was specifically designed for long-duration missions with scientific experiments.
* Apollo 10 Lunar Module (1969): While not technically a space station, the Apollo 10 lunar module was used for a series of experiments in Earth orbit during its mission to the moon. It could be considered the first "space laboratory" used for research.
Ultimately, it depends on your criteria for what constitutes a "space laboratory." You could argue for any of the above examples, or even earlier missions with scientific payloads, like the Soviet's Sputnik 2 or the US's Explorer 1.
Let me know if you'd like more information on any of these missions!
