The first modern rocket launched 100 years ago, beginning a century of both innovations and challenges for spaceflight

From World War II to the Apollo era, the space shuttle program and today’s privately developed commercial rockets, the landscape of spaceflight has changed dramatically.

By: Michael Carrafiello, Miami University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 16, 2026

Words: 1,236

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By Michael Carrafiello, Miami University

Apollo 11 first landed astronauts on the Moon in 1969, but the journey to the lunar surface actually began 43 years before, in snowy Massachusetts.

Exactly 100 years ago, on March 16, 1926, Robert H. Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket. Liquid-fueled rockets would eventually provide the power to send humans to the Moon. Still, Goddard’s vehicle was small, flew for only 42 seconds, reached a height of a mere …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us