Robert Goddard

Robert Goddard was an American engineer and inventor. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1882. He built and launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in 1926. He is called the Father of Modern Rocketry.

Early Life

Goddard became fascinated with space after reading science fiction as a teenager. He studied physics at Clark University. He dreamed of sending rockets to space. He spent years experimenting with rocket designs.

Big Achievements

On March 16, 1926, Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. It flew for 2.5 seconds and reached 41 feet. He went on to build bigger and better rockets. His work laid the foundation for the space program that sent astronauts to the Moon.

Fun Facts

• Goddard's first rocket flew for only 2.5 seconds.
• The New York Times once mocked him for saying rockets could work in space. They printed a correction in 1969 when Apollo 11 went to the Moon.
• NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center is named after him.

Did You Know?

Goddard was laughed at by many people who said rockets could never work in space. He proved them all wrong. Every rocket that has ever launched, from the Saturn V to SpaceX, uses principles that Goddard pioneered.