The Rocket of May 4, 1926
This vehicle is the oldest surviving liquid-propellant rocket in the world. Built of parts employed in the first liquid-propellant rocket launched on March 16, 1926, the engine was moved from the nose of the vehicle to the rear for the May 4 trial. Other changes were introduced to reduce the weight of the rocket to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds). The motor burned gasoline and liquid oxygen.
The alcohol burner under the liquid oxygen tank was inadvertently not ignited, causing the May 4 attempted launch to fail. A second test on May 5 also proved unsuccessful. However, the rocket engine was fired on both occasions.
The May 4 rocket is from Mrs. Robert H. Goddard and the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation.
| May 1926 rocket | |
|---|---|
| Length | 1.95 m. (6 ft., 4 in.) |
| Weight | 2.5 kg. (5.5 lb.) |
| Fuel | Gasoline |
| Oxidizer | Liquid oxygen |