Chronology - Quarter 3 1933

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Early July 1933 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 1.00 km (0.60 mi). The Magdeburg prototype rocket is reworked into a four-stick design and flown from Lindwerder Island at Tegeler Lake near Berlin. It reaches 1000 m, loops a few times, then thrusts straight toward the earth. The parachute deploys at the last moment and the rocket splashes down in the lake 100 m from the launch stand. It is recovered. References: 47.

1933 July 21 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 0.0060 km (0.0037 mi). After an aborted launch, the rocket does clear the tower but on oxidiser valve fails to open. The rocket reaches only 60 m but splashes down in the lake and is recovered. References: 47.

1933 August 3 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 0.0010 km (0.0006 mi). After objections by the owner of the previous launch location, tests are moved to Schwielow Lake, with launch from the stand erected on a motor boat. The rocket explodes soon after lift-off. References: 47.

1933 August 11 - Launch Vehicle: GIRD-09. FAILURE: Failure.

1933 August 11 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 0.0020 km (0.0012 mi). Second attempt from Schwielow Lake. The rocket goes horizontal and hits the water in the lake's steamboat channel. It cannot be recovered. References: 47.

1933 August 13 - Launch Vehicle: GIRD-09. FAILURE: Failure.

1933 August 17 - Launch Vehicle: GIRD-09.

First Russian hybrid rocket launch. Nation: USSR. Apogee: 0.40 km (0.25 mi). Russian hybrid propellant rocket, designed by M. K. Tikhonravov, successfully flown. Reached 400 m; design altitude of 5000 m not reached due to loss of pressure integrity of the motor flank. References: 17.

1933 August 31 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 2.00 km (1.20 mi). Third launch from Schwielow Lake. Rocket flies out of sight and is not found. References: 47.

1933 September -

New Guggenheim grant for Goddard Nation: USA. A grant from the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation allows Goddard to conduct a more extended laboratory program of rocket engine tests through 1934. Studies were made in these two years of insulators, welding methods for light metals, gyroscopic balancers, reciprocating and centrifugal pumps, jet pumps, and rocket chambers utilising atmospheric air, similar to the later V-l 'buzz bomb'. References: 482.

1933 September 9 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 0.10 km (0.06 mi). Fourth launch from Schwielow Lake. This employs a new design with two longer tanks in place of four shorter propellant tanks. Results 'poor'. References: 47.

1933 September 18 - Launch Vehicle: Magdeburg.

Nebel rocket Nation: Germany. Apogee: 0.10 km (0.06 mi). Final launch from Schwielow Lake using the new design. Results again 'poor'. References: 47.

1933 September 30 - Launch Site: Raketenflugplatz. Launch Complex: -. Launch Pad: -.

End of Raketenflugplatz Nation: Germany. Nebel is presented with a water bill of 1600 Marks for 1930-1933. He and the VfR are unable to pay, so the government cancels the lease and takes the property back. Klaus Riedel manages to arrange employment for himself and several of the VfR technicians with Siemens, which also agrees to allow them to store the Raketenflugplatz rockets and technical materials in a company warehouse. After Riedel and the others are recruited by the Army and leave for Peenemuende, Nebel allegedly sells of these materials. In any case they disappear. References: 47.

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