CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer CCO - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0) This media is in the public domain (free of copyright restrictions). You can copy, modify, and distribute this work without contacting the Smithsonian. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage conditions may apply Usage conditions may apply Usage conditions may apply

American rocket pioneer Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the Hoopskirt rocket on December 26, 1928, near Worcester, Massachusetts. It was so-named because it resembled a hoopskirt, a ladies’ fashion of the late 19th century. Goddard made no effort to build the rocket as a streamlined vehicle. He only wanted to test the operation of his rocket motor and make the vehicle as light as possible.

Goddard attempted to launch it on 18 July 1928, but the rocket jammed in the launch tower. Finally on 26 December 1928, on the fourth try, the Hoopskirt cleared the tower and flew for 3.2 seconds, covering a distance of 204.5 feet (62 m). It was Goddard's third liquid-fuel rocket flight. His first was on 16 March 1926. The rocket was donated to the Smithsonian by Mrs. Robert H. Goddard in 1959 and is a reconstruction, as the flimsy structure was smashed by the flight.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall
Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s) Early Liquid-Fuel Rocket Brief Description American rocket pioneer Dr. Robert H. Goddard launched the Hoopskirt rocket on December 26, 1928, near Worcester, Massachusetts. It was Goddard's third liquid-fuel rocket flight. The design resembles a hoopskirt, a ladies’ fashion of the late 19th century. Date 1928 Country of Origin United States of America Type CRAFT-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Dr. Robert H. Goddard
 Dimensions 3-D: 121.9 × 121.9 × 447cm, 13.2kg (4 ft. × 4 ft. × 14 ft. 8 in., 29lb.)
 Materials Steel and aluminum
 Alternate Name Goddard Hoopskirt Rocket Inventory Number A19590090000 Credit Line Mrs. Robert H. Goddard Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use. You may also like Robert Goddard and the First Liquid-Propellant Rocket Robert Goddard and the Smithsonian Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight Gallery National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Past Exhibition