The ARS-2 was an improvement by the American Interplanetary Socity of the German Mirak design. It used liquid oxygen and gasoline propellants, and was successfully launched on 14 May 1933. Successive rockets refined the design.

The American Interplanetary Society, later the American Rocket Society (ARS), was founded in New York City in April 1930 by David Lasser, G. Edward Pendray, Fletcher Pratt, and nine others, for the "promotion of interest in and experimentation toward interplanetary expeditions and travel.". The ARS launched a series of small experimental rockets in the 1930's.

They first attempted to copy the VfR Mirak rocket, based on the demonstration they saw in Berlin in 1931. This ARS-1 was destroyed in ground tests. The ARS-2 used liquid oxygen and gasoline propellants, and was successfully launched on 14 May 1933. However the rocket veered after takeoff, reaching only 75 m altitude.

Manufacturer: American Rocket Society.

1930 April 4 - Launch Vehicle: ARS.

• American Interplanetary Society established. Nation: USA. The American Interplanetary Society, later the American Rocket Society (ARS), founded in New York City by David Lasser, G. Edward Pendray, Fletcher Pratt, and nine others, for the "promotion of interst in and experimentation toward interplanetary expeditions and travel."References: 17.

• AIS tests rocket motor. Nation: USA. American Interplanetary Society performed static tests of rocket based on VfR design at Stockton, New Jersey. The motor produced 27 kgf of thrust for 20-30 seconds. It was damaged in the test and not subsequently flown. References: 17.

• AIS rocket first test. Nation: USA. Apogee: 0.0800 km (0.0497 mi). American Interplanetary Society Rocket No. 2 successfully fired at Marine Park, Staten Island, New York. It reached an altitude of 80 m in two seconds before the liquid oxygen tank burst. References: 17.

• American Rocket Society named. Nation: USA. American Interplanetary Society renamed the American Rocket Society (ARS). References: 17.

• ARS Rocket No. 4 reaches 130 m Nation: USA. Apogee: 0.13 km (0.08 mi). ARS Rocket No. 4 launched at Marine Island, Staten Island, New York. It reached 130 m altitude and crashed into New York Bay 407 meters downrange. It featured a single thrust chamber with four canted nozzles References: 17.

• US rocket mail test. Nation: USA. Apogee: 0.20 km (0.12 mi). F. W. Kessler, W. Ley, and N. Carver launched two mail-carrying "rocket airplanes" at Greenwood Lake, N.Y., which traveled about 1,000 feet. References: 17.

• Pierce rocket reaches 80 m Nation: USA. Apogee: 0.0800 km (0.0497 mi). H. F. Pierce of the American Rocket Society launched a liquid propellant rocket to 80-m altitude at Old Ferris Point, N.Y. References: 17.

• 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.