Space Rocket History #2 - Rocket Pioneers

Hermann Oberth's 'By Rocket Into Space' (original German title 'Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen', 1923) lays out the physics and engineering principles showing that rockets can operate in a vacuum and attain orbital velocities. The book examines propellant choices, rocket designs (including Oberth's Model B), and practical applications, helping to create a scientific dialogue around space travel. Oberth's clear exposition convinced many engineers and enthusiasts that spaceflight was technically plausible, contributing to the formation of rocketry societies and later programs. His advocacy and public outreach helped translate theory into experimentation and organization in Germany and beyond. The book is regarded as a cornerstone work in the history of astronautics.

In 'A Method of Attaining Extreme Altitudes' (1919), Robert H. Goddard systematically describes experiments, designs, and theoretical calculations for rockets capable of reaching very high altitudes and, by extension, space. The paper includes practical engineering details and a notable appendix with 'Calculations of Minimum Mass Required to Raise One Pound to an infinite altitude,' which attracted public attention. Goddard's work combined laboratory experimentation with theoretical insight, recommending liquid propellants and multi-stage designs that later became standard. Despite initial ridicule from some newspapers, the paper established Goddard as a pioneering thinker whose ideas underpinned later developments in rocket science. It remains a key historical document in astronautics.

Published in 1865, 'From the Earth to the Moon' is a pioneering science fiction novel by Jules Verne. It follows the Baltimore Gun Club as they embark on an ambitious project to send a projectile to the Moon. The novel is notable for its scientific accuracy and imaginative storytelling. The story concludes with the launch of the projectile, leaving the fate of the astronauts uncertain until the sequel, 'Around the Moon'.