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The sign accompanying the Goddard Rocket. It reads

A Goddard Rocket, May 4, 1926

(left) This vehicle, constructed by Robert H Goddard in April 1926, is the oldest surviving liquid propellant rocket in the world. It was built of parts used in the first liquid propellant rocket launched on March 16, 1926. In this case. however, the engine was moved from the nose of the vehicle to the rear. Other changes were introduced to reduce the weight of the rocket to 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds). An attempt to launch the rocket on May 4, 1926, failed because the alcohol burner under the liquid oxygen tank was inadvertently not ignited. A second test on May 5 also proved unsuccessful. The rocket engine was fired on both occasions, however. Tests were discontinued when work began on a larger rocket.

Length:	1.95 m (6 ft., 4 in.)
Weight:	2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.)
Fuel:	Gasoline
Oxidizer:	Liquid Oxygen

From Mrs. Robert H. Goddard and the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation