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Rockets: Two Classic Papers
This book is comprised of two papers written by Robert Goddard for the Smithsonian Institution: "A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes" and "Liquid Propellant Rocket Development." Two of the most significant publications in the history of rockets and jet propulsion, these reports appeared in 1919 and 1936, respectively. 96 black-and-white illustrations.
- GenresNonfiction
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2002
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About the author
Robert Hutchings Goddard
23 books7 followersRobert Hutchings Goddard was an American engineer, 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. Goddard and his team launched 34 rockets between 1926 and 1941, achieving altitudes as high as 2.6 km (1.6 mi) and speeds as high as 885 km/h (550 mph).
Goddard's work as both theorist and engineer anticipated many of the developments that were to make spaceflight possible. He has been called the man who ushered in the Space Age. Two of Goddard's 214 patented inventions — a multi-stage rocket (1914), and a liquid-fuel rocket (1914) — were important milestones toward spaceflight. His 1919 monograph A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes is considered one of the classic texts of 20th-century rocket science. Goddard successfully applied three-axis control, gyroscopes and steerable thrust to rockets, to effectively control their flight.
Although his work in the field was revolutionary, Goddard received very little public support for his research and development work. The press sometimes ridiculed his theories of spaceflight. As a result, he became protective of his privacy and his work. Years after his death, at the dawn of the Space Age, he came to be recognized as the founding father of modern rocketry. He not only recognized the potential of rockets for atmospheric research, ballistic missiles and space travel but was the first to scientifically study, design and construct the rockets needed to implement those ideas.
Goddard's work as both theorist and engineer anticipated many of the developments that were to make spaceflight possible. He has been called the man who ushered in the Space Age. Two of Goddard's 214 patented inventions — a multi-stage rocket (1914), and a liquid-fuel rocket (1914) — were important milestones toward spaceflight. His 1919 monograph A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes is considered one of the classic texts of 20th-century rocket science. Goddard successfully applied three-axis control, gyroscopes and steerable thrust to rockets, to effectively control their flight.
Although his work in the field was revolutionary, Goddard received very little public support for his research and development work. The press sometimes ridiculed his theories of spaceflight. As a result, he became protective of his privacy and his work. Years after his death, at the dawn of the Space Age, he came to be recognized as the founding father of modern rocketry. He not only recognized the potential of rockets for atmospheric research, ballistic missiles and space travel but was the first to scientifically study, design and construct the rockets needed to implement those ideas.
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August 26, 2018
Rockets: Two Classic Papers is a collection of two papers by Robert H. Goddard. The book applies mathematics and physics to the practical problem of attaining sub-orbital heights with Rockets. Although he was ridiculed by the press and encountered indifference from his colleagues, Goddard persevered in times of trouble and continued to make adjustments, studying all the while.
The first paper is called “A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes.” This is Rocket Science in its nascent stages. It was the first time someone tried to apply the methods of engineering to such a problem, but that doesn’t really show here. Goddard employs the same tools and techniques that modern Rocket Scientists would use, only this was published in 1919. It isn’t as though Physics has changed all that much. While it is true that Quantum Mechanics was fleshed out, that doesn’t really have a bearing on Rocket Science.
The math is easy enough to follow, and the variables used are all explained. The only Greek letter I was able to spot so far was rho, for air density. The final summary tells it like it is, and states that Rockets are useful for this application. Rockets are more useful than Balloons since Balloons require air to displace and the upper atmosphere quickly loses that as you gain altitude.
The second paper is titled “Liquid-Propellant Rocket Development.” This paper was published in 1935 and contains a report on his experiments into rockets. Contained throughout both papers are several images documenting his patents and the locations of his experiments.
The first paper is called “A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes.” This is Rocket Science in its nascent stages. It was the first time someone tried to apply the methods of engineering to such a problem, but that doesn’t really show here. Goddard employs the same tools and techniques that modern Rocket Scientists would use, only this was published in 1919. It isn’t as though Physics has changed all that much. While it is true that Quantum Mechanics was fleshed out, that doesn’t really have a bearing on Rocket Science.
The math is easy enough to follow, and the variables used are all explained. The only Greek letter I was able to spot so far was rho, for air density. The final summary tells it like it is, and states that Rockets are useful for this application. Rockets are more useful than Balloons since Balloons require air to displace and the upper atmosphere quickly loses that as you gain altitude.
The second paper is titled “Liquid-Propellant Rocket Development.” This paper was published in 1935 and contains a report on his experiments into rockets. Contained throughout both papers are several images documenting his patents and the locations of his experiments.
Displaying 1 of 1 review