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Goddard, Robert H
Goddard
Goddard
Father of American spaceflight; launched first liquid-fuel rocket, 1926. By 1936, he had solved all of the fundamental problems of guided liquid propellant rockets and was testing essentially modern vehicles. But he was reclusive, took patents but did not share lessons learned with others. Aerojet and von Braun did not benefit from his experience.

Born: 1882-10-05. Died: 1945-08-10.

Robert H. Goddard was one of the three most prominent pioneers of rocketry and spaceflight theory. He earned his Ph.D. in physics at Clark University in 1911 and went on to become head of the Clark physics department and director of its physical laboratories. He began to work seriously on rocket development in 1909 and is credited with launching the world's first liquid-propellant rocket in 1926. He continued his rocket development work with the assistance of a few technical assistants throughout the remainder of his life. Although he developed and patented many of the technologies later used on large rockets and missiles--including film cooling, gyroscopically-controlled vanes, and a variable-thrust rocket motor--only the last of these contributed directly to the furtherance of rocketry in the United States. Goddard kept most of the technical details of his inventions a secret and thus missed the chance to have the kind of influence his real abilities promised. At the same time, he was not good at integrating his inventions into a workable system, so his own rockets failed to reach the high altitudes he sought. Parallel work by von Braun in Germany and at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena duplicated his discoveries and led to post-war rocketry in Russia, Europe, and America.

Official NASA Biography

The father of modern rocket propulsion is the American, Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard. Along with Konstantin Eduordovich Tsiolkovsky of Russia and Hermann Oberth of Germany, Goddard envisioned the exploration of space. A physicist of great insight, Goddard also had an unique genius for invention.

By 1926, Goddard had constructed and tested successfully the first rocket using liquid fuel. Indeed, the flight of Goddard's rocket on March 16,1926, at Auburn, Massachusetts, was a feat as epochal in history as that of the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk. Yet, it was one of Goddard's "firsts" in the now booming significance of rocket propulsion in the fields of military missilery and the scientific exploration of space.

Primitive in their day as the achievement of the Wrights, Goddard's rockets made little impression upon government officials. Only through the modest subsidies of the Smithsonian Institution and the Daniel Guggenheim Foundation, as well as the leaves of absence granted him by Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Clark University, was Goddard able to sustain his lifetime of devoted research and testing. He worked for the U.S. Navy in both World Wars. Eighteen years after his successful demonstration at Auburn, Goddard's pioneering achievements came to life in the German V-2 ballistic missile.

Goddard first obtained public notice in 1907 in a cloud of smoke from a powder rocket fired in the basement of the physics building in Worcester Polytechnic Institute. School officials took an immediate interest in the work of student Goddard. They, to their credit, did not expel him. He thus began his lifetime of dedicated work.

In 1914, Goddard received two U.S. patents. One was for a rocket using liquid fuel. The other was for a two or three stage rocket using solid fuel. At his own expense, he began to make systematic studies about propulsion provided by various types of gunpowder. His classic document was a study that he wrote in 1916 requesting funds of the Smithsonian Institution so that he could continue his research. This was later published along with his subsequent research and Navy work in a Smithsonian Miscellaneous Publication No. 2540 (January 1920). It was entitled "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes." In this treatise, he detailed his search for methods of raising weather recording instruments higher than sounding balloons. In this search, as he related, he developed the mathematical theories of rocket propulsion.

Towards the end of his 1920 report, Goddard outlined the possibility of a rocket reaching the moon and exploding a load of flash powder there to mark its arrival. The bulk of his scientific report to the Smithsonian was a dry explanation of how he used the $5000 grant in his research. Yet, the press picked up Goddard' s scientific proposal about a rocket flight to the moon and erected a journalistic controversy concerning the feasibility of such a thing. Much ridicule came Goddard's way. And he reached firm convictions about the virtues of the press corps which he held for the rest of his life. Yet, several score of the 1750 copies of the 1920 Smithsonian report reached Europe. The German Rocket Society was formed in 1927, and the German Army began its rocket program in 1931. Goddard's greatest engineering contributions were made during his work in the 1920's and 1930's (see list of historic firsts). He received a total of $10,000 from the Smithsonian by 1927, and through the personal efforts of Charles A. Lindbergh, he subsequently received financial support from the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation. Progress on all of his work was published in "Liquid Propellant Rocket Development," which was published by the Smithsonian in 1936.

Goddard's work largely anticipated in technical detail the later German V-2 missiles, including gyroscopic control, steering by means of vanes in the jet stream of the rocket motor, gimbalsteering, power-driven fuel pumps and other devices. His rocket flight in 1929 carried the first scientific payload, a barometer, and a camera. Goddard developed and demonstrated the basic idea of the "bazooka" two days before the Armistice in 1918 at the Aberdeen Proving Ground. His launching platform was a music rack. Dr. Clarence N. Hickman, a young Ph.D. from Clark University, worked with Goddard in 1918 provided continuity to the research that produced the World War II bazooka. In World War II, Goddard again offered his services and was assigned by the U.S. Navy to the development of practical jet assisted takeoff NATO) and liquid propellant rocket motors capable of variable thrust. In both areas, he was successful. He died on August 10,1945, four days after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Japan.

Goddard was the first scientist who not only realized the potentialities of missiles and space flight but also contributed directly in bringing them to practical realization. This rare talent in both creative science and practical engineering places Goddard well above the opposite numbers among the European rocket pioneers. The dedicated labors of this modest man went largely unrecognized in the United States until the dawn of what is now called the "space age." High honors and wide acclaim, belated but richly deserved, now come to the name of Robert H. Goddard.

On September 16, 1959, the 86th Congress authorized the issuance of a gold meal in the honor of Professor Robert H. Goddard.

In memory of the brilliant scientist, a major space science laboratory, NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland, was established on May 1, 1959.

Characteristics

Education: Clark.



Subtopics

Goddard 1 American test vehicle. Rocket used by Goddard to achieve the first flight of a liquid-propellant rocket.

Goddard 2 American test vehicle. After several tests indicating the model was too small to permit refinements, Goddard decided to build a rocket twenty-fold larger. During 1926 a new tower was built, and flow regulators, multiple liquid injection into large combustion chambers, means for measurement of pressure and lifting force, electrically fired igniter, and turntable for rotation were developed.

Goddard 3 American test vehicle. First instrumented liquid fuel rocket. Length 11 ft 6 in.; maximum diameter 26 in.; weight 32 lb; gasoline 14 lb; liquid oxygen 11 lb; total loaded weight 57 lb.

Goddard 4 American test vehicle. Goddard rocket using pressure-fed LOx/Gasoline propellants, streamline casing, and remote control guidance. Masses varied; typical values indicated.

Goddard A American test vehicle. The A series rockets used simple pressure feed, gyroscopic control by means of vanes, and parachute. The rockets in this series averaged in length from 4.11 m to 4.65 m.; their weight empty varied from 26 kg to 39 kg.

Goddard K American test vehicle. This consisted of ten proving-stand tests for the development of a more powerful motor, 10 in. in diameter. Weight of rocket, about 225 lb; weight of fuels, 50-70 lb for the series.

Goddard L-A American test vehicle. Tests of the Goddard L Section A covered development of a nitrogen-pressured flight rocket using 10 in, motors based on the K series and ran from May 11 to November 7, 1936 (L1-L7). Length of the L Series Section A rockets varied from 10 ft 11 in, to 13 ft 6 1/2 in.; diameter 18 in.; empty weight 120 to 202 lb; loaded weight 295 to 360 lb; weight oxygen about 78 lb; weight gasoline 84 lb; weight nitrogen, 4 lb.

Goddard L-B American test vehicle. The L-B series were check tests of 5.75-in.-diameter chambers with fuels of various volatilities; development of tilting cap parachute release; tests of various forms of exposed movable air vanes; test of retractable air vanes and parachute with heavy shroud lines. The series ran from November 24, 1930-May 19, 1937 (L8-L15). Final results of Section B of L Series showed two proving-stand tests, and six flight test attempts, all of which resulted in flights. Average interval between tests 22 days.

Goddard L-C American test vehicle. Series L Section C rockets included light tank construction, movable-tailpiece (i.e. gimbal) steering, catapult launching, and further development of liquid nitrogen tank pressure method. Lengths varied from 17 ft 4.25 in. to 18 ft 5.75 in.; diameter 9 in., weight empty varied from 80 to 109 lb; loaded weight about 170 lb or more; lift of static tests varied from 228 lb to 477 lb; jet velocities from 3960 to 5340 ft/sec.

Goddard P-C American test vehicle. Section C tests would run through October 10, 1941 and represent the final Goddard rocket flight tests. The series of twenty-four static and flight tests (P13-P36) was made with rockets of large fuel capacity, with the rocket motor, pumps, and turbines previously developed. These rockets averaged nearly 22 ft in length, and were 18 in, in diameter. They weighed empty from 190 to 240 lb. The liquid-oxygen load averaged about 140 lb, the gasoline 112 lb, making "quarter-ton" loaded rockets.

Family: Early Rocketry. People: Goddard. Country: USA. Bibliography: 12, 17, 482, 5439.
Photo Gallery

Goddard, Age 18Goddard, Age 18


Goddard First RocketGoddard First Rocket
The world's first liquid fuel rocket.



1882 October 5 - .
1899 October 19 - .
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1909 February 2 - .
1911 June 19 - .
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1920 August 19 - .
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1921 June 1 - .
1922 March 25 - .
1922 May 3 - .
1923-1924 - .
1923 March 19 - .
1923 November 1 - .
1924-1925 - .
1925 December 6 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1925 December 30 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 January 3 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 January 20 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 March 16 - . Launch Site: Auburn. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 April 3 - . Launch Site: Auburn. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 May 5 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 1.
1926 May 5 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 2.
1927 January 18 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 2.
1927 September 3 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 3.
1928 July 18, September 29, October 10, October 20 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 3. FAILURE: Tipped and caught in tower.
1928 December 26 - . Launch Site: Auburn. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 3.
1929 July 17 - . Launch Site: Auburn. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 3.
1929 December 3 - 1930 June 30 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1930 July - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1930 October 23 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1930 December 30 - . Launch Site: Auburn. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1931 September 29 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1931 October 13 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1931 October 27 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1931 November 23 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1932 April 19 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard 4.
1932 June - .
1932 September - .
1933 June 1 - .
1933 September - .
1934 September 14 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 February 16 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 March 8 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 March 28 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 May 31 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 June 25 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 July 12 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 October 29 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard A.
1935 November 22 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard K.
1935 December 17 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard K.
1936 February 12 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard K.
1936 March 16 - .
1936 May 11 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-A.
1936 July 31 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-A.
1936 September 1 - .
1936 October 3 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-A.
1936 October 13 - .
1936 November 7 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-A.
1936 November 24 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1936 December 18 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 February 1 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 February 27 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 March 26 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 April 22 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 May 19 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-B.
1937 July 28 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1937 July 28 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1937 August 26 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1937 November 24 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 March 6 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 March 17 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 April 20 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 May 26 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 August 9 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard L-C.
1938 October 17 - .
1939 January 6 - .
1939 February 7 - .
1939 March 24 - .
1939 May 15 - .
1939 November 18 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1939 December 2 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1940 May 15 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1940 May 28 - .
1940 June 11 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1940 July 1 - .
1940 August 9 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1941 January 6 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1941 May 8 - . Launch Site: Roswell. LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1941 July 17 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1941 October 19 - . LV Family: Goddard. Launch Vehicle: Goddard P-C.
1942 July - .
1945 July - .
1945 August 10 - .
1948 December 14 - .
1959 May 1 - .

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