What was Robert Goddard's contribution to rocket science?

Robert Hutchins Goddard's most important achievement was building the world's first liquid-fueled rocket and testing it. In doing this he solved many technical problems such as fuel valving for throttle, start and stop, fuel injection, engine cooling and ignition. Goddard developed the technique of having the liquid oxygen cool the combustion chamber on its way from the fuel tank. This method is still in use and therefore his investigations have definitely improved the knowledge of space travel.

Robert Goddard's contributions to missilery and space flight would make a lengthy list. Below are some of Dr. Goddard's firsts.

Ø Explored the practicality of using rocket propulsion to reach high altitudes and even the moon (1912)

Ø Proved that a rocket will work in a vacuum, that it needs no air to push against

Ø Developed and shot a liquid fuel rocket (March 16, 1926, Auburn, Mass.)

Ø Shot a scientific payload (barometer and camera) in a rocket flight (1929, Auburn, Mass.)

Ø Used vanes in the rocket motor blast for guidance (1932, New Mexico)

Ø Developed gyro control apparatus for rocket flight (1932, New Mexico)

Ø Received U.S. patent in idea of multi-stage rocket (1914)

Ø Developed pumps suitable for rocket fuels

Ø Launched a rocket with a motor pivoted on gimbals under the influence of a gyro mechanism (1937)