Robert Goddard

Claimed by Kashyap Patel

Dr. Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945) is known as the father of modern rocket propulsion due to his success in discovering that rocket flight is possible with rocket fuel, a mixture of gasoline and liquid oxygen. He not only discovered the unlimited uses of rocket fuel, but also put them to the test in practical situations.

Life

Early Life and School

Robert H. Goddard was born on October 5, 1882 in Worcester, Massachusetts. Early in his childhood, he developed an interest in science. More specifically, the science fiction novel "The War of The Worlds" by H. G. Wells inspired Goddard to delve into the realm of rocket science. After post-secondary school, Goddard attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and graduated in 1908. Wanting to continue his education, Goddard enrolled in Clark University in his hometown and received a doctorate from there in 1911. Goddard's career had just started as he immediately began teaching physics there.

Adulthood and Career

As he taught physics at his graduate alma mater, he undertook research about rocket flight at his own expense in order to gain grants from various institutions. His research focused on various types of gunpowder that would allow rocket propulsion. His research proved successful when the Smithsonian Institution in 1916 awarded him a $5,000 grant for rocket tests. Goddard started defining industry standards when, in his 1920 report, he claimed that it was possible for a rocket to reach the moon. Goddard added that inn order to makes its arrival, the rocket would would explode a pile of flash powder. Goddard continued to research on his own and in 1926, surprised the world by constructing and successfully testing the first rocket using liquid fuel. His discoveries were later used in the military when he was recruited by the U.S. Navy in developing jet-assisted takeoff during World War II. Goddard later died on August 10, 1945 due to throat cancer.

Achievements

• Dr. Goddard is considered to be the father of modern rocket propulsion.
• He is considered to be the man who ushered in the Space Age.
• He developed and demonstrated the basic of idea of the bazooka, an anti-tank weapon, in 1918.
  • The bazooka was later used in World War II.
• He constructed and tested the first ever rocket using liquid fuel in 1926.
  • This first ever liquid-fueled rocket burned for 20 seconds before taking off, traveled 41 feet upwards in 2.5 seconds, and came crashing to the ground at 60 miles per hour.
• Goddard proved that a rocket does, infant, work in a vacuum; air is not required to push against.
  • Because of his discovery of rocket fuel, Goddard told the world that space travel was possible.

Connectedness

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