Celebrating 100 Years Since Robert Goddard Launched 1st Liquid-Fueled Rocket
“Tried rocket at 2:30,” Robert Hutchings Goddard recounted in his diary on that frosty afternoon in 1926 at “Aunt Effie’s farm” in Auburn, Massachusetts. “It rose 41 ft, and went 184 ft, in 2.5 sec, after the lower half of nozzle has burned off,” he wrote.
Goddard’s March 16th experiment marked “the first flight with a rocket using liquid propellants,” as the physicist and inventor recorded matter-of-factly the following day.
On 16 March, at the appointed hour, 100 rockets will be sent aloft where Goddard made history – part of a series of commemorative events that AIAA is supporting that are designed to inspire a new generation of students to embrace STEM.
The launch area in Auburn is now on the 9th fairway of the Pakachoag Golf Course, a National Historic landmark where an engraved obelisk dedicated by AIAA in 2006 marks the dawn of the rocket age.
“We were honored to place the obelisk at the location of Dr. Goddard’s achievement,” said Merrie Scott, AIAA Senior Vice President of Membership Engagement. “He served as a director of the America Rocket Society, which is one of the predecessor organizations to AIAA. His legacy has become part of AIAA history.”
Other model rocket launches are expected by rocket clubs, school students, and space enthusiasts around the country on the anniversary.
“My premise has always been that as great as it is to celebrate something that happened 100 years ago, it’s really a celebration of the genius of humanity,” said Charles Slatkin, executive director of the Wonder Mission, a nonprofit that acquired and renovated Goddard’s birthplace in Worcester, Massachusetts, with the mission of inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, educators, innovators, and what he calls “visioneers.” In addition to the rocket launched, Slatkin is coordinating a series of centennial events in March, including a festival and rededication with the city of Auburn at Goddard Park and tours of Goddard’s home.
See other Goddard Centennial events here: https://firstlaunchcentennial.org/
On 18 March, AIAA President Dan Hastings will participate in a discussion at Worcester Polytechnic Institute on the legacy of Goddard (Class of 1908) and on 22 March he will participate in a 100th anniversary event at Worcester’s Hanover Theater.
The Goddard centennial is “a celebration of all of these innovators and dreamers and engineers and educators who work tirelessly and don’t get a lot of attention,” said Slatkin. “We have gone from Goddard to interstellar space in just 100 years. To me it is a wonderful way to celebrate and honor science and engineering.”
