Dr. Robert H. Goddart
Dr.Robert Hutchings Goddard is considered the creator of the modern rocket propulsion. During his lifetime he invented and created rocketry that shaped our modern rocket propulsion.
First liquid fueled rocket, 16 march 1926
Goddard successfully launched the world’s first liquid fueled rocket at Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket traveled for around 2 seconds at a speed of about 60 mph. The rocket was 10 feet tall and is constructed out of thin pipes. The rockets used liquid oxygen and gasoline as its fuel. Similar to concept to a modern day rocketry, the gasoline and liquid oxygen are pumped into a small chamber which is burnt to create a high pressure and velocity of hot stream gases. These gases will then go through the thruster creating thrust and lift for the rocket. After this, he immediately patented his discovery. He overcame numerous technical difficulties that other people can’t overcome, such as fuel valving. Fuel valves controls the amount of fuel going into the combustion chamber, this allows the rocket’s thrust to be controlled.
2 to 3 stage rocket that uses solid fuels
In 1914, Goddard patented the concept of multistage rocket, this allows the rocket to reach much greater altitude and distance. Goddard was the first one who implemented this concept as all the rockets are single staged during his time. This makes them very unreliable as they are only able to travel small distances before running out of propellant, as this stage the rocket will then fall down towards under the influence of gravity.
Gyroscopic Apparatus
A gyroscope is simply a device that maintains orientation and angular velocity. Goddard patented his gyroscope for directing an aircraft’s flight to outer space and beyond atmospheric condition. Goddard discovered that even if the rockets are able to fly vast distances and high altitude it is still uncontrollable, this makes it impossible for the rocket to travel to a specific location. Through the use of gyroscope placed on the combustion chamber, it allows him to control the rocket’s direction by changing the rocket’s direction of thrust, this allows the rocket to be steered slightly to a certain direction.
IN SUMMARY
- Explored the practicality of using rocket propulsion to reach high altitudes, even the moon (1912)
- Proved that a rocket will work in a vacuum, that it needs no air to push against
- Developed and fired a liquid fuel rocket (March 16, 1926, Auburn, Mass.)
- Shot a scientific payload in a rocket flight (1929, Auburn, Mass.)
- Developed gyro control apparatus for rocket flight (1932, New Mexico)
- Received U.S. patent for of multi-stage rocket (1914)
- Developed pumps suitable for rocket fuels
- Launched a rocket with a motor pivoted on gimbals under the influence of a gyro mechanism (1937)
