Goddard Rocket Launching Site
Encyclopedia
The Goddard Rocket Launching Site is a National Historic Landmark
commemorating the launch site of the world's first successful liquid-fueled rocket
. It is located at 20 Upland Street, Auburn, Massachusetts
, within the Pakachoag Golf Course. The actual launch site is indicated with two markers accessible to visitors while the golf course is open. It is located at the "9th Fairway, between Tee and Green," of Pakachoag Golf Course. There are two monuments located at this site. The launch site monument is located just off the street to the right of the club house. The landing site is located on the ninth hole near the pond. This monument may be difficult to get to due to the nature of this sport. The best advice for visiting the landing monument is to walk the rock wall between 1st and 9th fairway.
Dr. Robert H. Goddard
launched his historic rocket on March 16, 1926, from what was then the Asa Ward Farm. The 10 feet (3 m) rocket reached an altitude of 41 feet (12.5 m), flew for two-and-a-half seconds, and fell to the ground 184 feet (56.1 m) from the launching frame.
Goddard's final launch from Auburn, on July 17, 1929, was also an historic first. The 11 feet (3.4 m) rocket carried an aneroid barometer, thermometer
, and a camera triggered when the parachute opened. All three instruments operated successfully and were recovered.
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
in 1966.
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
commemorating the launch site of the world's first successful liquid-fueled rocket
Rocket
A rocket is a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle which obtains thrust from a rocket engine. In all rockets, the exhaust is formed entirely from propellants carried within the rocket before use. Rocket engines work by action and reaction...
. It is located at 20 Upland Street, Auburn, Massachusetts
Auburn, Massachusetts
Auburn is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 16,188 at the 2010 census.- History :Auburn was first settled in 1789 and was officially incorporated in 1808 as the town of Ward, in honor of American Revolution General Artemas Ward...
, within the Pakachoag Golf Course. The actual launch site is indicated with two markers accessible to visitors while the golf course is open. It is located at the "9th Fairway, between Tee and Green," of Pakachoag Golf Course. There are two monuments located at this site. The launch site monument is located just off the street to the right of the club house. The landing site is located on the ninth hole near the pond. This monument may be difficult to get to due to the nature of this sport. The best advice for visiting the landing monument is to walk the rock wall between 1st and 9th fairway.
Dr. Robert H. Goddard
Robert H. Goddard
Robert Hutchings Goddard was an American professor, physicist and inventor who is credited with creating and building the world's first liquid-fueled rocket, which he successfully launched on March 16, 1926...
launched his historic rocket on March 16, 1926, from what was then the Asa Ward Farm. The 10 feet (3 m) rocket reached an altitude of 41 feet (12.5 m), flew for two-and-a-half seconds, and fell to the ground 184 feet (56.1 m) from the launching frame.
Goddard's final launch from Auburn, on July 17, 1929, was also an historic first. The 11 feet (3.4 m) rocket carried an aneroid barometer, thermometer
Thermometer
Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer is a device that measures temperature or temperature gradient using a variety of different principles. A thermometer has two important elements: the temperature sensor Developed during the 16th and 17th centuries, a thermometer (from the...
, and a camera triggered when the parachute opened. All three instruments operated successfully and were recovered.
The site was declared a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
in 1966.