Dr. Robert Goddard Launches First Liquid Propellant Rocket

Dr. Robert Goddard’s experiments became increasingly more sophisticated. First he worked with solid fuel rockets and started experimenting with liquid-fueled engines. Despite the lack of funding, after numerous attempts, he finally launched the first liquid-fueled rocket on March 16, 1926, on his aunt's farm in Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket used gasoline and liquid oxygen as fuel and it was the important demonstration that Goddard needed for proving that liquid propellant rockets were indeed possible. The 10-foot long rocket reached an altitude of 41 feet and stayed aloft for 2.5 seconds.

By 1929, Goddard’s work gained national notoriety again, with each rocket launch bringing him more attention from the public. Goddard disliked attention and thought it interfered negatively in his research, but the popularity of his work finally brought him a generous sponsor. Financier Daniel Guggenheim showed his willingness to fund Goddard’s research for a period of four years. The Guggenheim family continued to support Goddard in his work for many more years. The money from the Guggenheim Foundation and the Smithsonian allowed Goddard and his team to set up a research station in a remote desert location near Roswell, New Mexico. There, Goddard made significant advances in rocketry that eventually lead to the space program.

Learn more about Dr. Goddard's history first powered rocket flight at: https://owlcation.com/stem/Dr-Robert-H-Goddard-Father-of-American-Rocketry

References:

West, Doug. Dr. Robert H. Goddard - A Brief Biography: Father of American Rocketry and the Space Age. C&D Publications. 2017.

Carey, Charles W. Jr. American Scientists. Facts on File, Inc. 2006.