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3 A Brief History of Space Flight
and air; considering gas flows in converging–diverging nozzles; applying thermodynamics to the combustion processes of various fuel-oxidizer combinations; pointing
out the exceptional properties of atomic hydrogen as a propellant; suggesting to use
reaction wheels for spacecraft’s attitude control; as well as outlining possible rocket
applications including studies on the aurora borealis and on the upper atmosphere,
and missions to the Moon and to the planets. In addition to studying theoretical
astronautics, he also initiated practical development of liquid rocket engines, so
that he lost the ends of four fingers on his left hand in experiments with gasoline
and tetranitro-methane as rocket propellants. Unfortunately, his researches have not
been recognized and supported by French officials, while his rocket control idea has
been successfully applied to the V-2 rockets developed by Germany later.
Esnault-Pelterie was one of founders of the French Astronautic Society and
became a member of the French Academy of Natural Sciences in 1936, which shows
that his hard work and achievements in the field of aerospace have been recognized by
the scientific community. His research work was terminated in the Second World War,
and he settled in Switzerland after the War. In 1946, he wrote a book Dimensional
Analysis, at the end of which he proposed to set up branches for each scientific field
in studies on the history of science, naturally including the histories of aeronautic
and astronautic science. The purpose is to enable future generations to learn from
the experiences and lessons of predecessors and better promote the development of
science and technology. It can be seen that Esnault-Pelterie has really a profound
thought that ordinary people cannot do. It is also a painful lesson that he learned
when he saw that French rocket technology at that time was far behind Germany, the
United States and the Soviet Union. After successfully launching the world’s first
artificial earth satellite in the Soviet Union, the Poland-Soviet astronautic scientist
Ary Abramovich Sternfeld, who won the 1934 REP-Hirsch Award, wrote to André
Louis-Hirsch, saying: “Robert Esnault-Pelterie’s works have had a significant impact.
The Soviet scientists used his theory of astronautics in their work”.
Although Esnault-Pelterie had not actually developed a rocket, his rocket design
idea was quite advanced. He had the honor of witnessing the successful launch of
the world’s first artificial earth satellite, turning his astronautic science theory into
reality. On December 6, 1957, Robert Esnault-Pelterie passed away at the age of 76
in Geneva, Switzerland.
3.3.3 Robert Hutchings Goddard
Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882−1945)was an eminent American inventor and
physicist, as well as one of the founders of modern rocketry and space flight. He
developed and launched successfully the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket, ushering
in an era of space flight and innovation.
On 5 October 1882, Robert Goddard was born at Maple Hill in Worcester,
Massachusetts, the United States. His parents were farmers, and that helped him
acquire an interest in nature. He was the only surviving child of his parents, and the
3 A Brief History of Space Flight
and air; considering gas flows in converging–diverging nozzles; applying thermodynamics to the combustion processes of various fuel-oxidizer combinations; pointing
out the exceptional properties of atomic hydrogen as a propellant; suggesting to use
reaction wheels for spacecraft’s attitude control; as well as outlining possible rocket
applications including studies on the aurora borealis and on the upper atmosphere,
and missions to the Moon and to the planets. In addition to studying theoretical
astronautics, he also initiated practical development of liquid rocket engines, so
that he lost the ends of four fingers on his left hand in experiments with gasoline
and tetranitro-methane as rocket propellants. Unfortunately, his researches have not
been recognized and supported by French officials, while his rocket control idea has
been successfully applied to the V-2 rockets developed by Germany later.
Esnault-Pelterie was one of founders of the French Astronautic Society and
became a member of the French Academy of Natural Sciences in 1936, which shows
that his hard work and achievements in the field of aerospace have been recognized by
the scientific community. His research work was terminated in the Second World War,
and he settled in Switzerland after the War. In 1946, he wrote a book Dimensional
Analysis, at the end of which he proposed to set up branches for each scientific field
in studies on the history of science, naturally including the histories of aeronautic
and astronautic science. The purpose is to enable future generations to learn from
the experiences and lessons of predecessors and better promote the development of
science and technology. It can be seen that Esnault-Pelterie has really a profound
thought that ordinary people cannot do. It is also a painful lesson that he learned
when he saw that French rocket technology at that time was far behind Germany, the
United States and the Soviet Union. After successfully launching the world’s first
artificial earth satellite in the Soviet Union, the Poland-Soviet astronautic scientist
Ary Abramovich Sternfeld, who won the 1934 REP-Hirsch Award, wrote to André
Louis-Hirsch, saying: “Robert Esnault-Pelterie’s works have had a significant impact.
The Soviet scientists used his theory of astronautics in their work”.
Although Esnault-Pelterie had not actually developed a rocket, his rocket design
idea was quite advanced. He had the honor of witnessing the successful launch of
the world’s first artificial earth satellite, turning his astronautic science theory into
reality. On December 6, 1957, Robert Esnault-Pelterie passed away at the age of 76
in Geneva, Switzerland.
3.3.3 Robert Hutchings Goddard
Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882−1945)was an eminent American inventor and
physicist, as well as one of the founders of modern rocketry and space flight. He
developed and launched successfully the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket, ushering
in an era of space flight and innovation.
On 5 October 1882, Robert Goddard was born at Maple Hill in Worcester,
Massachusetts, the United States. His parents were farmers, and that helped him
acquire an interest in nature. He was the only surviving child of his parents, and the