Goddard Rocket Launching Site
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Goddard Rocket Launching Site
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Robert H. Goddard's first rocket at the launch site
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| Nearest city: | Auburn, Massachusetts |
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| Coordinates: | 42°13′6″N 71°48′46″W / 42.21833°N 71.81278°WCoordinates: 42°13′6″N 71°48′46″W / 42.21833°N 71.81278°W |
| Built: | 1926 |
| Governing body: | Private |
| NRHP Reference#: | 66000654 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP: | November 13, 1966[1] |
| Designated NHL: | November 13, 1966[2] |
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.[2] 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-foot (3.0 m) rocket reached an altitude of 41 feet (12 m), flew for two-and-a-half seconds, and fell to the ground 184 feet (56 m) from the launching frame.
Goddard's final launch from Auburn, on July 17, 1929, was also an historic first. The 11-foot (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.[2][3]
[edit] References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://nrhp.focus.nps.gov/natreg/docs/All_Data.html.
- ^ a b c "Goddard Rocket Launching Site". National Historic Landmark summary listing. National Park Service. http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=483&ResourceType=Site. Retrieved 2008-03-15.
- ^ Polly M. Rettig, Horace J. Sheely, and S. Sydney Bradford (may 19, 1975). National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Goddard Rocket Launching SitePDF (32 KB). National Park Service and Accompanying nine photos (of rockets, museum exhibits, and this site), from 1966, 1975 and undatedPDF (32 KB)
[edit] External links
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