The Goddard Project

03/31/2026

Esther Goddard, The Unsung Hero of the Space Age's birthday is today.

It is only fitting that, on the final day of Women’s History Month, we celebrate an unsung hero of the Space Age.

Take a moment to honor and celebrate the birthday of Esther Kisk Goddard—wife, collaborator, and indispensable partner to Dr. Robert H. Goddard, the Father of the Space Age. One hundred years ago, alongside Dr. Goddard and two lab assistants, she helped launch the world’s first liquid-fueled rocket, an achievement that ushered in the Space Age.

Yet her contributions remain largely unrecognized. There are so few photographs of Esther because she was usually behind the camera—serving as the team’s photographer and cinematographer, documenting every launch and experiment. She traveled with the small crew, capturing each test on film. Beyond that, she fabricated parachutes, extinguished brush fires after rocket explosions, and, each evening, meticulously typed and preserved the day’s experimental notes—both successes and failures.

After Robert’s death, Esther devoted decades to safeguarding and advancing his legacy. She became the chief steward of his work—organizing his papers, securing his patents, and ensuring his contributions were properly recognized. Even into the 1960s, the U.S. government continued to rely on Goddard’s rocket designs. Her efforts ultimately led to a $1 million settlement for the use of those patents. She worked closely with government and aerospace institutions to cement his place in history. Without her administrative, technical, and archival dedication, much of Goddard’s impact might have remained obscured.

As part of the recent Goddard “First Launch Centennial” celebrations www.thefirstlaunch.org , Esther Goddard’s significance has rightly been brought to the forefront through:

-The Museum of Worcester’s Goddard exhibition

-Tours and presentations at the recently restored Robert and Esther Goddard -House

-National press coverage

-The establishment of the Esther Goddard Award for outstanding students and educators

-Ongoing research toward an Esther Goddard Wikipedia page

-A new book, "Goddard’s Massachusetts"

-The re-publication of Milton Lehman’s official Goddard biography, to which Esther contributed

Happy Birthday, Esther.

The First Launch Centennial year celebrations will continue, and your legacy will help inspire the next generation of “Tomorrow’s Goddard’s.

03/25/2026

Clark University is now home to a National Space Trail marker, honoring Dr. Robert H. Goddard’s pioneering rocketry research and his lasting impact on spaceflight. 🚀

The National Space Trail highlights sites across the United States that have shaped — and continue to shape — scientific discovery, education, and space exploration.

Goddard, a Clark alumnus and professor, invented and assembled the world’s first liquid‑fueled rocket in Clark’s Physics Department and conducted much of his early research in laboratories on campus.

Learn more at www.nationalspacetrail.org.

03/16/2026

Due to a severe weather alert for torrential rain, 50 mph winds, and lightning on March 16th, Centennial organizers quickly pivoted and moved the event to March 14th.

Despite the last-minute change, it was an inspiring celebration, and children took turns launching 100 rockets to commemorate Robert Goddard’s "First Launch Centennial."

03/16/2026

Today, we celebrate the extraordinary achievements of Robert and Esther Goddard, whose vision and perseverance 100 years ago, helped open the path to space.

At the same time, we honor today’s “Goddards”—the scientists, engineers, educators, students, and dreamers who continue to carry that torch forward.

Perhaps most exciting of all is imagining the accomplishments of tomorrow’s “Goddards”—the young minds who will push the boundaries of discovery even further and help shape the future in ways we can scarcely imagine today.

03/14/2026

Join the Hanover Theatre on March 22nd for a special space‑themed event celebrating the 100th anniversary of humanity’s first modern rocket launch—achieved by Worcester’s own Dr. Robert H. Goddard, the “Father of the Space Age.”

Learn more and reserve your free tickets here: https://thehanovertheatre.org/event/goddard-father-of-the-space-age/

03/13/2026

Dr. Robert Goddard is widely considered the father of the space age. and his groundbreaking experiments transformed rocketry from imagination into reality.

Kevin Schindler, author of Robert Goddard’s Massachusetts (set to be released March 3), will present historical images, personal writings, and accounts of Goddard’s pioneering 1926 liquid‑fuel rocket launch that beckoned in the era of modern spaceflight. The program will also highlight Esther Goddard’s essential role in preserving her husband’s legacy and ensuring his contributions continue to inspire future explorers.

Learn more and join the Zoom livestream here: https://www.clarku.edu/events/event/robert-goddard-the-dreamer-who-launched-the-space-age/

03/13/2026

DATE CHANGE: Due to severe weather, the Launch Site Celebration will now be held TOMORROW, Saturday, March 14. The national weather service has issued a severe weather alert for Monday with lightning, torrential rains and 50+ mile an hour winds.

With that in mind, the Town of Auburn has decided to cancel the Monday celebration and reschedule it for tomorrow, Saturday afternoon with speakers and rocket launches at 2:00 PM with the same program as was scheduled for Monday.

03/12/2026

Tour Robert Goddard's birthplace and hear presentations to learn more about his life and work.

03/12/2026

Read about a wonderful example of "tomorrow's Goddard's" at WPI.

With the centennial of Robert Goddard's first liquid fuel rocket launch, his dreams, including reaching Mars, inspire today's aerospace students.

03/11/2026

Every step tells a story.

Learn more: https://www.nationalspacetrail.org

03/10/2026

Join Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) for a special University Lecture commemorating the 100th anniversary of Robert H. Goddard’s historic rocket launch. His pioneering work transformed humanity’s relationship with space and launched a century of discovery and innovation.

Learn more and register here: https://www.wpi.edu/news/calendar/events/launching-next-100-years-industry-innovation-future-space