Michigan Aerospace Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Goddard’s Rocket Launch

Goddard rocket launch

By Lily Lewis, Originally published by Michigan Aerospace 

On March 16, 2026, the U-M Department of Aerospace Engineering community came together to celebrate a momentous occasion, honoring the legacy and impact of Dr. Robert Goddard and the 100th anniversary of the launch of the first-ever successful liquid-fuel rocket.

During the event, the department was proud to welcome Bill Munch, retired chemical engineer and Goddard historian, who spoke about the life of Dr. Goddard and his wife, Esther, and their lasting impact on revolutionizing the space industry.