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MARCH 16, 2026

FIRST LAUNCH CENTENNIAL

Dr. Robert H. Goddard

Humanity's first steps to the stars, and the dawn of the SPACE AGE!

100
Years
9
Days of Events
20+
Events & Exhibits
1
Historic Launch
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Rocket blueprint schematic

COUNTDOWN TO LAUNCH

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Dr. Robert H. Goddard with his rocket
1920s rocket workshop

THE FATHER OF MODERN ROCKETRY

On March 16, 1926, in Auburn, Massachusetts, Dr. Robert H. Goddard changed the course of human history. His liquid-fueled rocket — just 10 feet tall — flew for 2.5 seconds, reaching an altitude of 41 feet and landing 184 feet away in a frozen cabbage patch.

That modest flight was the Wright Brothers moment of space travel. Every rocket that has ever carried a human being, satellite, or probe into space descends directly from Goddard's invention.

"It is difficult to say what is impossible, for the dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow."
— Dr. Robert H. Goddard

In 2026, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of that revolutionary moment — a centennial that honors not just an invention, but the audacity of human imagination.

Learn More About Dr. Goddard

Images courtesy of Clark University and WPI Archives and Special Collections

2.5s
Flight Duration
41ft
Altitude Reached
184ft
Distance Traveled
★ As Featured in USA TODAY ★ ★ First Launch Centennial — March 16, 2026 ★ ★ 100 Years of Rocketry ★ ★ Worcester & Auburn, Massachusetts ★ ★ As Featured in USA TODAY ★ ★ First Launch Centennial — March 16, 2026 ★ ★ 100 Years of Rocketry ★ ★ Worcester & Auburn, Massachusetts ★

WORCESTER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATIONS

The Week at a Glance

Saturday, March 14
Rededication of Goddard Park
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM — Family Fun Festival featuring historical reenactors, STEM activities, scavenger hunts, panel discussions, and food trucks. A day for the whole family at the birthplace of modern rocketry.
Auburn MA Goddard100th
Sunday, March 15
Goddard Rocket Centennial Celebration at EcoTarium
A full day of celebration at the EcoTarium including a model rocket launch at 12:30 PM, planetarium shows, and exhibits exploring Goddard's legacy and the future of space exploration.
EcoTarium
Monday, March 16 — LAUNCH DAY
100th Anniversary Launch Site Event
THE day. 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the original launch site in Auburn, MA. Model rockets launched across the country simultaneously. The Museum of Worcester opens the Robert Goddard Exhibit to the public.
Auburn MA Goddard100th
Tuesday, March 17 – Saturday, March 21
National Space Trail Tours & Goddard House
Self-guided tours of Goddard-related sites across the region. Goddard House tours with historian Kevin Schindler daily at 10 AM–12 PM & 2 PM–4 PM. Address: 1 Tallawanda Dr, Worcester, MA 01603.
National Space Trail
Tuesday, March 17 – Sunday, March 22
Clark University & WPI Academic Events
Clark University:
"Robert Goddard: A Vision. A Reality. A Hope" — March 17 @ 7:00 PM
"Robert Goddard: The Dreamer Who Launched the Space Age" — March 19 @ 4:00 PM

WPI:
Pop-up Exhibit #2 — March 17, 11:30 AM
Pop-up Exhibit #3 — March 18, 12:30 PM
"Launching the Next 100 Years" — March 18, 5:30 PM
WPI Music at Mechanics Hall — April 19, 4:00 PM
Clark Events Vision, Reality, Hope Dreamer Who Launched WPI Exhibit #2 WPI Exhibit #3 Next 100 Years Music at Mechanics Hall
Sunday, March 22
Goddard Celebration at The Hanover Theater
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Doors open at 3:30 PM). A FREE celebration focused on students and the future of space education. Reserve your tickets now!
Free Tickets
Rocket exhaust trail

EVENT DETAILS

Goddard Park
Saturday, March 14
Goddard Park — Family Fun Festival
Goddard Park, Auburn, MA
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Rededication ceremony, historical reenactors, scavenger hunt, STEM panel discussions, food trucks, and family activities at the very site where Goddard made history.
Auburn MA
EcoTarium
Sunday, March 15
EcoTarium Centennial Celebration
EcoTarium, Worcester, MA
All Day — Model Rocket Launch at 12:30 PM
Celebrate at Worcester's beloved science museum with planetarium shows, hands-on exhibits, and a model rocket launch commemorating Goddard's achievement.
EcoTarium
Launch Site Event
Launch Day
Monday, March 16 — LAUNCH DAY
Launch Site Event — 100th Anniversary
Original Launch Site, Auburn, MA
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The main event. Stand where Goddard stood 100 years ago and witness the centennial celebration at the exact spot where modern rocketry was born.
Goddard100th
Nationwide Rocket Launches
Monday, March 16
Nationwide Model Rocket Launches
Across the United States
All Day
Rocket clubs, NAR & TRA chapters, schools, and Estes rocket enthusiasts launch simultaneously across the nation in a coordinated tribute to Goddard.
Learn More
Nationwide rocket launches
Museum of Worcester
March 16 – August 2026
Museum of Worcester: Robert Goddard Exhibit
Museum of Worcester, Worcester, MA
Public opening March 16
A comprehensive exhibit exploring the life, science, and legacy of Robert Goddard. Running through August 2026, this is a must-see for anyone inspired by the story of rocketry.
Details
National Space Trail
March 17 – 21
National Space Trail Tours
Various Locations
Self-guided
Explore Goddard-related historical sites on a self-guided trail through Worcester and the surrounding region. Discover where the father of rocketry lived, studied, and dreamed.
National Space Trail
Goddard House
March 17 – 21
Goddard House Tours & Presentations
1 Tallawanda Dr, Worcester, MA 01603
10 AM–12 PM & 2 PM–4 PM daily
Tour the home where Goddard grew up and dreamed of reaching the stars. Historian Kevin Schindler leads guided presentations sharing never-before-told stories of Goddard's life.
Learn More
Clark University and WPI
March 17 – 22
Clark University & WPI Events
Clark University & WPI, Worcester, MA
Various times
Academic lectures, pop-up exhibits from the Robert and Esther Goddard Collection, and a special "Launching the Next 100 Years" symposium exploring the future of space innovation.
Clark Events WPI Events
Hanover Theater
Free Event
Sunday, March 22
Goddard Celebration at The Hanover Theater
The Hanover Theatre, Worcester, MA
4:30 PM – 6:00 PM (Doors 3:30 PM)
A FREE family event celebrating the next generation of explorers. Focused on students and education, this grand finale brings the centennial week to an inspiring close.
Reserve Free Tickets
Hanover Theater
Theater auditorium
Grand Finale Event — FREE Admission

RESERVE FREE TICKETS NOW

Goddard Celebration at The Hanover Theatre
Sunday, March 22, 2026 — 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Doors open at 3:30 PM

A celebration focused on students, education, and the boundless future of space exploration. Bring the whole family.

GET FREE TICKETS

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

AIAA
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