Robert H. Goddard

Robert H. Goddard’s basic contribution to missilery and space flight is a lengthy list. As such, it is an eloquent testimonial to his lifetime of work in establishing and demonstrating the fundamental principles of rocket propulsion.

• First explored mathematically the practicality of using rocket propulsion to reach high & altitudes and even the moon (1912);

• First proved, by actual static test, that a rocket will work in a vacuum, that it needs no air to push against;

• First developed and shot a liquid fuel rocket, March 16,1926;

• First shot a scientific payload (barometer and camera) in a rocket flight (1929, Auburn, Massachusetts);

• First used vanes in the rocket motor blast for guidance (1932, New Mexico);

• First developed gyro control apparatus for rocket flight (1932, New Mexico);

• First received U.S. patent in idea of multi-stage rocket (1914);

• First developed pumps suitable for rocket fuels;

• First launched successfully a rocket with a motor pivoted on gimbals under the influence of a & gyro mechanism (1937).