Goddard Rocket Launching Site

Infobox_nrhp | name =Goddard Rocket Launching Site
nrhp_type = nhl

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caption = Robert H. Goddard's first rocket at the launch site
nearest_city= Auburn, Massachusetts
lat_degrees = 42
lat_minutes = 13
lat_seconds = 6
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 71
long_minutes = 48
long_seconds = 46
long_direction = W
locmapin = Massachusetts
area =
built =1926
architect=
architecture=
designated= November 13, 1966cite web|url=http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=483&ResourceType=Site
title=Goddard Rocket Launching Site |accessdate=2008-03-15|work=National Historic Landmark summary listing|publisher=National Park Service]
added = November 13, 1966cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2007-01-23|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
governing_body = Private
refnum=66000654The 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.

Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched his historic rocket on March 16, 1926, from what was then the Asa Ward Farm. Its 10-foot cylinder reached an altitude of 41 feet, flew for two-and-a-half seconds, and fell to the ground 184 feet from the launching frame.

Goddard's final launch from Auburn, on July 17, 1929, was also a historic first. The 11-foot rocket carried an aneroid barometer, thermometer, and a camera triggered when the parachute opened. All three instruments operated successfully and were recovered.

It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1966.citation|title=PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Text/66000654.pdf National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Goddard Rocket Launching Site] |32 KB|date=may 19, 1975 |author=Polly M. Rettig, Horace J. Sheely, and S. Sydney Bradford |publisher=National Park Service and PDFlink| [http://pdfhost.focus.nps.gov/docs/NHLS/Photos/66000654.pdf "Accompanying nine photos (of rockets, museum exhibits, and this site), from 1966, 1975 and undated"] |32 KB]

References

External links

* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service "Discover Our Shared Heritage" Travel Itinerary]