A History of Rockets

By PierreDrake
  • The steam engine model (aeilolipile).
    1 CE

    The steam engine model (aeilolipile).

    Created by Hero of Alexandra, this was a sphere with water inside, when heated, steam was made and directed out two pipes on the side to propel the sphere in a circle.
  • Chinese create first rockets with gun powder.
    1200

    Chinese create first rockets with gun powder.

    These rockets were made with gun powder and exploded in mid air.

  • Issac Newton's Laws of motion

    Newton created laws of motion based on Galileo's ideas earlier. The laws are fundamental in the design of rockets.

  • First liquid fueled rocket.

    Robert H. Goddard from USA was the first to successfully launch a liquid fuel rocket. This allows a higher control on how much fuel is burnt.
  • V2 rockets designed by Wernher von Braun.

    V2 rockets designed by Wernher von Braun.

    These long range missiles were used in WW2 by Germany but the designs were used and improved upon by other countries after the war and in the space race.
  • Sputnik1 was launched by USSR.

    Sputnik1 was launched by USSR.

    This was the first Earth-orbiting satellite.

  • NASA FORMED

    The USA formed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) which has become a important organisation in the space industry.

  • Vostok 1 takes Russian Yuri Gagarin into space.

    This was the first human in space and part of the space race, mainly between US and USSR.
  • First man on moon

    First man on moon

    Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins and Buzz Aldrin flew on NASA's Apollo 11 and reached the moon. Buzz Aldrin was the first to set foot on the moon.
  • NASA launches its first Space Shuttle.

    NASA launches its first Space Shuttle.

    This is a reusable space craft that helped construct the ISS.

  • 2000 and onward.

    Countries and organisations continue to send probes and make plans to send people
    to the Moon, Mars and beyond. These include Japan, the European Space Agency, India, China,
    Russia and the USA.
  • Private companies, such as Space X, Orbital ATK, Virgin Galactic and New Zealand company Rocket Lab, are increasingly active in the space industry.

    Private companies, such as Space X, Orbital ATK, Virgin Galactic and New Zealand company Rocket Lab, are increasingly active in the space industry.