The rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me-163 was the world's first and only operational pure rocket fighter and represented the culmination of Alexander Lippisch's years of research in rocketplanes, tail-less aircraft, and high aspect ratio delta wings.

As a weapon, the Me-163 had tremendous speed but very limited range. Due to the dangerous nature of its propellants and incomplete development before being put into production, it was said to have killed more of its own pilots than the enemy's...

The Me-163 had a maximum speed of 960 km/hr; a cruise speed of 800 km/hr; and a landing speed 80 m/s. Range was only 80 km during a 7.5 minute mission. The aircraft could reach 12 km altitude 3.3 minutes after takeoff. Armament was 2 x Mk 118 x 60 rockets.

Crew Size: 1. Length: 5.70 m (18.70 ft). Maximum Diameter: 2.75 m (9.02 ft). Span: 9.33 m (30.61 ft). Mass: 3,995 kg (8,807 lb). Main Engine Thrust: 16.600 kN (3,732 lbf).

• 1938 July 1 - Rocket fighters - Launch Site: Peenemuende. Launch Vehicle: V-2.

  The first rocket fighter, the He-176, powered by a Walther engine, was tested at Peenemuende. In competition, Dornberger's team developed a 120-second duration engine to power the He-122. However loss of control in unpowered flights of the latter resulted in it crashing and being eliminated from further consideration. Dornberger's team left further rocket fighter engine development to Walther, and concentrated on the A4 and follow-on ballistic missiles.

• Dornberger, Walter, Peenemuende, Moewig, Berlin 1985.. ISBN: 3811843419. German-language account of the development of the V-2 by the Commander of the Peenemuende rocket development centre. More at amazon.com...

• Michels, Juergen and Przybilski, Olaf, Peenemuende und seine Erben in Ost und West, Bernard & Graefe, Bonn, 1997. ISBN: 3763759603. Marvelous German language book traces the 'technology transfer' from the Peenemuende refugees to the rocketry programs of America, Russia, Germany, and other countries. More at amazon.com...

• Emme, Eugene M, Aeronautics and Astronautics: An American Chronology of Science and Technology in the Exploration of Space 1915-1960, NASA, 1961. Accessed at: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/timeline.html.