Robert Hutchings Goddard (October 5, 1882 - August 10, 1945) was an American engineer, professor, physicist, and inventor who is credited with creating and launching the world's first liquid-fueled rocket. Goddard successfully launched his rocket on March 16, 1926, which ushered in an era of space flight and innovation. He and his team launched 34 rockets between 1926 and 1941, achieving altitudes as high as 2.6 km and at speeds as fast as 885 km/h.