One hundred years ago this March 16, the visionary, Dr. Robert Goddard, launched the world’s first modern rocket…effectively it was the “Kitty Hawk of the Space Age.
In less than thirty days, on March 16, 2026, and throughout the week that follows, the centennial of this epoch-making event will be celebrated in Worcester and Auburn, Massachusetts, and across the country. Dr. Goddard—namesake of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center—forever changed the course of science, engineering, and space exploration with this historic launch.
Goddard’s “First Launch Centennial” celebrates Dr. Goddard’s extraordinary vision and enduring legacy, while providing a unique opportunity to simultaneously recognize and elevate “Today’s and Tomorrow’s Goddards”—our students, early-career scientists, educators, engineers, and innovators who continue to push the boundaries of human knowledge and inspire what is possible.
The weeklong celebration, beginning March 16, includes a wide range of free public events: speeches, historical recreators, 100 model rocket launches at the original launch site, tours and presentations at Dr. Goddard’s restored home, a special Goddard exhibit at the Museum of Worcester, artifact viewings at the Robert H. Goddard Library, lectures at WPI, the unveiling of Phase One of the new National Space Trail, the release of a new Goddard documentary, two new Goddard books, and a free culminating multimedia event at Worcester’s historic Hanover Theatre on March 22, featuring planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern, former Director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, Massachusetts astronaut Al Sacco Jr., and emceed by Maynard Okereke, host of The Hip Hop Science Show.
We invite you to join us in celebrating this historic milestone and to help us share the story of Robert Goddard’s legacy. Media assets are available and interviews are welcome, and members of the press are invited to cover events on site and events throughout the Centennial week.
More information and event details can be found at:
www.thefirstlaunch.org
https://thehanovertheatre.org/event/goddard-father-of-the-space-age/ (Free tickets only available by registering)
www.nationalspacetrail.org
