Robert Goddard: First Launch Centennial 16 March 2026

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Robert Goddard: First Launch Centennial

Thousands of adults and young people (students, parents, engineers, technical professionals, and more) will celebrate the centennial of Robert Goddard’s first successful liquid-fueled rocket launch on 16 March 1926.

To acknowledge the pivotal role that both Robert and his wife, Esther, played in shaping our modern world, AIAA is working with dozens of aeronautic, rocketry, and aviation organizations to jointly celebrate and recognize the advancements made by these brilliant people. Between 16–22 March, join thousands of other rocketry and space enthusiasts of all ages in honoring the Goddards by launching a rocket and sharing it on social media using the hashtag #Goddard100Launch.

No matter where in the world you are, you can be a part of this celebration by posting pictures and descriptions of your experience with rocketry at any level. Whether it’s a stomp rocket in the backyard, or a high-powered rocket launched by a university team – join the mass of people saluting and remembering (or perhaps learning about for the first time) Robert and Esther Goddard.

Available Resources
  • Exploration Generation Free Rocketry Lessons (elementary, middle, and high school content). Learn More
  • You can purchase the new Robert Goddard Rocket by Estes Rockets for a hands-on connection to the moment modern rocketry began. Purchase a Robert Goddard Rocket
  • The Robert Goddard Rocket STEM Toolkit is a downloadable PDF resource that extends the build and launch experience through hands-on activities, reflection prompts, and historical context. The toolkit includes student challenges such as quizzes, science writing exercises, engineering design activities, and simple experiments that explore liquid-fueled rocketry, cause-and-effect in launches, and iterative problem-solving. Designed to be flexible, the activities can be used individually or together to help students connect Robert Goddard’s early innovations to modern STEM concepts and engineering practices.
  • Download the Robert Goddard STEM Kit

Robert Goddard Illustration1
Robert Goddard (1882-1945). American physicist. Goddard’s first successful launching of a liquid-fuel rocket at Auburn, Massachusetts, 16 March 1926. | Credit: Clark University Archives and Special Collections

Goddard With First Liquid Propulsion Rocket Pic Credit Clark University Archives And Special Collections 1
Goddard With First Liquid Propulsion Rocket. | Credit: Clark University Archives and Special Collections

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