A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes

Reading Time: 3 min

This article explores A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes, a 1919 monograph by Robert H. Goddard.

At the beginning of the 20th century, researchers relied on balloons to study the upper atmosphere, yet these could only reach about 20 miles, drifted unpredictably, and lacked precise control. Robert H. Goddard, working at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and Clark University, presented a clearer path: rockets. His monograph introduced how rockets could overcome both gravity and air resistance, and even operate beyond the atmosphere, using principles of rocket propulsion in vacuum, efficient engine design, and staged thrust. A public PDF of the original publication can be found here.

The pamphlet of about 70 pages introduces several key ideas in accessible terms. It shows that rockets don’t rely on pushing against air, but rather move by expelling mass. That reaction works whether in thick atmosphere or a vacuum, which makes balloons unnecessary for reaching extreme altitudes. Goddard introduced a nozzle design—later known as a de Laval nozzle—that turns hot gas into focused thrust, greatly improving efficiency. He proposed using multiple timed charges to sustain the climb rather than a single explosion. His final scenario involved sending a rocket to the Moon’s far side carrying flash powder, then detonating it so people on Earth could spot the glow through a telescope.

These ideas stood out because they framed rockets as tools for practical science rather than novelty devices. Rockets could target altitudes precisely, return data, or travel into space. By blending clear explanation with imaginative applications, Goddard helped people see what a rocket could actually do. Early responses included widespread skepticism—one major newspaper publicly mocked the idea of rockets working in space. But decades later, following the Moon landing effort, that same publication issued a correction, admitting it had been wrong.

Goddard didn’t stop at theory. In 1926 he launched the world’s first successful liquid‑fuel rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. He advanced guidance systems using gyroscopes and steerable thrust and kept refining engine segments including turbopumps, cooling systems, and multi‑chamber designs. Those developments influenced rocket pioneers worldwide, including Wernher von Braun and others. His work also inspired the naming of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in his honor.

Here’s a table summarizing the key concepts from the monograph, offered in plain terms:

In practice, Goddard’s experiments gravitated from solid fuels toward liquid fuels, improving ignition systems, storage tanks, and stability. One early flight lasted only seconds and went modest distances, but proved the idea worked. His 1930s work at Roswell, New Mexico resulted in dozens of launches reaching higher altitudes. Through trial, error, and careful iteration, he developed techniques like regenerative cooling and thrust vectoring that became foundational for modern rocket design.

Although his locale and support were limited—working largely alone, receiving minimal immediate support, and facing academic and public doubt—Goddard’s methodical approach laid groundwork for serious spaceflight. He carefully recorded tests that showed what worked and what needed improvement, contributing scientific rigor to rocketry.

His monograph also posed what’s now known as the Goddard problem, asking how to maximize a rocket’s peak altitude, accounting for drag and gravity. That challenge remains studied in aerospace engineering and applied math today.

Beyond technical achievements, the monograph planted a vision people could follow. Rockets came to seem like instruments of exploration, not just displays or weapons. By blending clarity, tested ideas, and scenarios that stirred imagination, Goddard helped move spaceflight from speculation to actionable engineering.