Modern Rocketry Begins

In 1898, Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, a Russian schoolteacher, was the first person to propose the idea of space exploration, using the power of rockets. He suggested the use of liquid propellants, in order to achieve greater range. For his research and vision, Tsiolkovsky has been called the father of modern astronautics.

In the early 20th century Robert Goddard conducted various experiments in rocketry with the goal of achieving altitudes that were not possible with lighter-than-air balloons. He started out experimenting with solid-fueled rockets, but became convinced that they would be easier to control with liquid propellant. This was a very difficult task because fuel and oxygen tanks were needed, along with turbines and combustion chambers. Goddard achieved the first successful liquid-propellant rocket flight on March 16, 1926 in Auburn Massachusetts. Goddard's experiments in liquid propellant rockets continued for many years, and developed a gyroscope system for flight control.

Another influential rocket scientist was Hermann Oberth, born in Transylvania, published a book in 1923 about rocket travel into space. Many small rocket societies popped up around Europe and the world because of his writings. The German society, Verein fur Raumschiffahrt (Society for Space Travel), later developed the V-2 rocket.

Small in comparison to modern rockets, the V-2 achieved great thrust by burning a mixture of liquid oxygen and alcohol at a rate of one ton every seven seconds. The V-2 had the capability to devastate whole city blocks, which it did when it was launched against London during World War 2. Fortunately, the development of the V-2 came too late in the war, and not enough damage was caused to have any serious impact on the war.

With the fall of Germany, many V-2 rockets, and their designers and scientists, were captured by the allies. One of the head scientists from the V-2 program was Wernher von Braun, who was taken back to the United States to work on the growing American rocket program, as now the United States and Soviet Union both saw the military and scientific potential in rockets. At this point, various medium and long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles were built, which became the starting points to the American and Soviet space programs.