Below is a timeline of Aerospace Technology:
The jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle in 1937, while the liquid fuel rocket with a de Laval nozzle, separate combustion chamber for the fuel, helium generated pressure tank, turbopumps, recuperators, 3-axis control and vectored thrust was invented by Robert Goddard in 1919.
The electrical ignition system for rockets, on the other hand, was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the 1910s.
What the Germans invented was the fighter jet, which was designed by Hans Von Ohain and launched in 1944.
The German Werner Von Braun also invented the V-1, the 1st cruise missile and the V-2, the 1st ballistic missile in 1944.
The innovations in Von Braun's missiles included the use of pulse jets in the V-1, the use of alcohol as rocket fuel in the V-2 and the use of vacuum tube missile guidance computers in both missiles, all of which were invented by Von Braun.
The V-2 rocket flew to such a high altitude that it was the 1st man-made object to reach space. It was also the 1st object to travel 4 times faster than the speed of sound which is equivalent to 4,940km/h, making it the fastest man-made object at the time of its launch.
Innovations were also made in solid fuel rockets such as the invention of the castable solid fuel rocket propellant by Jim Parsons in the 1930s.
This made it possible for a US army sergeant to invent the bazooka or rocket launcher in 1942.
It also made it possible for Russian inventor Georgy Langemak to invent air-to-air and air-to-ground rockets in 1937 called the RS-132 rockets. He then invented the 1st self-propelled MRLS or multiple rocket launch system, called the BM-13 Katyusha in 1939. In that same year, Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov invented the 1st fighter plane to be equipped with Georgy Langemak's rockets called the Polikarpov I-16.
Then in the 1950s, Russian inventor Sergey Korolev invents the ICBM or intercontinental ballistic missile called the Vostok-1, which is the 1st multi-stage liquid fuel rocket and the 1st missile to be armed with nuclear warheads.
Though the design for the Vostok-1 was based on designs made by Werner Von Braun for an ICBM designed to cross the Atlantic Ocean called the A-10 or Aggregate-10 rocket in 1944.
The Vostok-1 was also the 1st rocket to send a satellite, called Sputnik into space in 1957, and the 1st rocket to send animals and people into space in what became the 1st manned spaceflights.
Missile technology was further improved by Howard Hughes in the 1950s when he invented the all-weather-interceptor package which was the 1st electronic targeting system for the air-to-air missiles that he also invented.
Howard Hughes' all-weather-interceptor package had a targeting radar which sent signals to a transistor computer that would superimpose a moving electronic crosshair onto a transparent targeting screen.
This was done by sending the signal to an electron gun in a transparent vacuum tube that hit a layer of transparent phosphors in the screen. When the electron beam hit the phosphors in a specific manner, it would form the shape of a glowing crosshair that would make it easier to track a moving target.
Howard Hughes also invented the transistor missile guidance computer for his air-to-air missiles and invented the heat-seeking, radar guided, and laser guided systems for his missiles.
He also improved on his all-weather-interceptor package in the 1970s when the newer models were digitized, adding a targeting camera to the targeting radar and projecting the crosshair onto a television screen digitally by saving the information about the crosshair and target in a frame store, also known in modern times as a VRAM or video card, which Howard Hughes also invented, that was refreshed at a rate of 60Hz.
In 1963, Howard Hughes invents the world's 1st communications satellite called Syncom which can carry telephone, radio and TV signals. His invention made what is called DirectTV or Satellite TV possible. Syncom had a number of innovations such as the use of solar panels to power the satellite and the use of self-stabilization where the satellite uses its steering thrusters to make it spin so that it remains stable in orbit. Syncom is also the 1st telecommunications device to use the microwave bandwidth for transmitting signals.
In 1966, Howard Hughes invents the world's 1st weather satellite called the ATS-1 which used an electronic camera to take videos of the Earth's surface and beam it down to Earth using its microwave transmitter. The ATS-1 also served as the world's 1st spy satellite because of its video recording capability.
Also in 1966, Howard Hughes invents the Radioactive Isotope Thermoelectric Generator for use on his other invention, the Surveyor 1, the world's 1st space probe. It works by using the heat of radioactive isotopes to power thermoelectric generators which use junctions of dissimilar metals called thermocouples to absorb the heat and generate electricity. When the radioactive particles from the radioactive isotope makes contact with the thermocouples, the heat causes the electrons in the thermocouples' atoms to move through the circuit with the positive junction containing an excess of electrons and emitting it and the negative junction containing a deficiency of electrons, enabling it to absorb the excess electrons from the positive junction, and when the negative junction gets full, it discharges the excess electrons to the adjacent positive junction of another thermocouple instead of sending it back to its own positive junction because its connection is facing the source of heat which repels the electrons to the connection with the adjacent thermocouple which is not facing the heat source, generating a flow of electrical current which is stopped only when the heat source is removed and the excess electrons have returned back to the positive junctions.
In the 1970s, Howard Hughes invents the Pioneer Space Probe which is the 1st space probe to explore another planet, namely Venus, it used his Radioactive Isotope Thermoelectric Generator to power the Ion Thrusters, that he also invented, on the spacecraft which gave it a top speed of 131,970km/h, making it the fastest man-made object at the time of its launch.
Werner Von Braun later went on to design the Saturn V and Apollo rockets while Tom Kelley designed the Lunar Landing Module that actually brought the astronauts to the moon in 1969.
Then, in 1981, Maxime Faget designed and invented the Space Shuttle which was launched in that same year.
In 2003, Burt Rutan invented the world's 1st fully reusable spaceplane, SpaceShipOne, which had a top speed of 3,815km/h. To fly into space without the aid of boosters and an auxiliary fuel tank like the Space Shuttle, SpaceShipOne used carbon fiber reinforced plastic to reduce weight and a hybrid solid/liquid fuel rocket that used hydrazine as the liquid fuel and had a combustion chamber lined with solid fuel, made of rubber, to increase the amount of thrust produced by the engine, increasing the engine's power-to-weight ratio to the point that the engine was powerful enough to propel the spaceplane to space on its own, though it still needed to be brought to a high altitude by a carrier plane called the White Knight.
Then in 2010, Burt Rutan invented an improved model called SpaceShipTwo which can carry 2 pilots and 6 passengers at a top speed of 4,200km/h. This was the 1st private spaceplane to launch satellites and offer commercial spaceflights.
In 2014, Elon Musk invents the self-propelled floating launch and landing pad for his rockets which eliminates the need to launch or land his reusable rockets from a fixed location that can have bad weather. This way, if there is bad weather in a designated launch or landing site, the self-propelled semi-submersible platform can easily be moved to a different location.
In 2015, Jeff Bezos invents and launches the New Shepard, the world's 1st VTVL, vertical take-off, vertical landing, rocket with a top speed of 3,568km/h in an uncrewed flight. It is also the 1st spacecraft to have fully automated control systems.
In 2019, Elon Musk invents and launches the Dragon 2, the world's 1st fully reusable space capsule with a top speed of 33,511km/h in an uncrewed flight. It is also the world's 1st commercial orbital spacecraft with an altitude of 585km.
In May 30, 2020, the Dragon 2 launches into space with NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken in its 1st crewed flight.
In July 20, 2021, Jeff Bezos launches into space with 3 other astronauts: Mark Bezos, Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen in the New Shepard's 1st crewed flight, making Bezos the 1st American Billionaire Polymath Astronaut.
In September 16, 2021, the Dragon 2 launches into space with astronauts Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Christopher Sembroski in its 1st all-civilian crewed flight.
In 2023, Elon Musk invents and launches the Starship, the world's 1st fully reusable rocket/space plane hybrid in an uncrewed flight.
In 2024, Tim Crain, CTO of Intuitive Machines, USA, invents the 1st fully reusable lunar lander probe called the Nova-C. It is also the 1st spacecraft to use his other invention, methalox propulsion.
The jet engine was invented by Frank Whittle in 1937, while the liquid fuel rocket with a de Laval nozzle, separate combustion chamber for the fuel, helium generated pressure tank, turbopumps, recuperators, 3-axis control and vectored thrust was invented by Robert Goddard in 1919.
The electrical ignition system for rockets, on the other hand, was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in the 1910s.
What the Germans invented was the fighter jet, which was designed by Hans Von Ohain and launched in 1944.
The German Werner Von Braun also invented the V-1, the 1st cruise missile and the V-2, the 1st ballistic missile in 1944.
The innovations in Von Braun's missiles included the use of pulse jets in the V-1, the use of alcohol as rocket fuel in the V-2 and the use of vacuum tube missile guidance computers in both missiles, all of which were invented by Von Braun.
The V-2 rocket flew to such a high altitude that it was the 1st man-made object to reach space. It was also the 1st object to travel 4 times faster than the speed of sound which is equivalent to 4,940km/h, making it the fastest man-made object at the time of its launch.
Innovations were also made in solid fuel rockets such as the invention of the castable solid fuel rocket propellant by Jim Parsons in the 1930s.
This made it possible for a US army sergeant to invent the bazooka or rocket launcher in 1942.
It also made it possible for Russian inventor Georgy Langemak to invent air-to-air and air-to-ground rockets in 1937 called the RS-132 rockets. He then invented the 1st self-propelled MRLS or multiple rocket launch system, called the BM-13 Katyusha in 1939. In that same year, Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov invented the 1st fighter plane to be equipped with Georgy Langemak's rockets called the Polikarpov I-16.
Then in the 1950s, Russian inventor Sergey Korolev invents the ICBM or intercontinental ballistic missile called the Vostok-1, which is the 1st multi-stage liquid fuel rocket and the 1st missile to be armed with nuclear warheads.
Though the design for the Vostok-1 was based on designs made by Werner Von Braun for an ICBM designed to cross the Atlantic Ocean called the A-10 or Aggregate-10 rocket in 1944.
The Vostok-1 was also the 1st rocket to send a satellite, called Sputnik into space in 1957, and the 1st rocket to send animals and people into space in what became the 1st manned spaceflights.
Missile technology was further improved by Howard Hughes in the 1950s when he invented the all-weather-interceptor package which was the 1st electronic targeting system for the air-to-air missiles that he also invented.
Howard Hughes' all-weather-interceptor package had a targeting radar which sent signals to a transistor computer that would superimpose a moving electronic crosshair onto a transparent targeting screen.
This was done by sending the signal to an electron gun in a transparent vacuum tube that hit a layer of transparent phosphors in the screen. When the electron beam hit the phosphors in a specific manner, it would form the shape of a glowing crosshair that would make it easier to track a moving target.
Howard Hughes also invented the transistor missile guidance computer for his air-to-air missiles and invented the heat-seeking, radar guided, and laser guided systems for his missiles.
He also improved on his all-weather-interceptor package in the 1970s when the newer models were digitized, adding a targeting camera to the targeting radar and projecting the crosshair onto a television screen digitally by saving the information about the crosshair and target in a frame store, also known in modern times as a VRAM or video card, which Howard Hughes also invented, that was refreshed at a rate of 60Hz.
In 1963, Howard Hughes invents the world's 1st communications satellite called Syncom which can carry telephone, radio and TV signals. His invention made what is called DirectTV or Satellite TV possible. Syncom had a number of innovations such as the use of solar panels to power the satellite and the use of self-stabilization where the satellite uses its steering thrusters to make it spin so that it remains stable in orbit. Syncom is also the 1st telecommunications device to use the microwave bandwidth for transmitting signals.
In 1966, Howard Hughes invents the world's 1st weather satellite called the ATS-1 which used an electronic camera to take videos of the Earth's surface and beam it down to Earth using its microwave transmitter. The ATS-1 also served as the world's 1st spy satellite because of its video recording capability.
Also in 1966, Howard Hughes invents the Radioactive Isotope Thermoelectric Generator for use on his other invention, the Surveyor 1, the world's 1st space probe. It works by using the heat of radioactive isotopes to power thermoelectric generators which use junctions of dissimilar metals called thermocouples to absorb the heat and generate electricity. When the radioactive particles from the radioactive isotope makes contact with the thermocouples, the heat causes the electrons in the thermocouples' atoms to move through the circuit with the positive junction containing an excess of electrons and emitting it and the negative junction containing a deficiency of electrons, enabling it to absorb the excess electrons from the positive junction, and when the negative junction gets full, it discharges the excess electrons to the adjacent positive junction of another thermocouple instead of sending it back to its own positive junction because its connection is facing the source of heat which repels the electrons to the connection with the adjacent thermocouple which is not facing the heat source, generating a flow of electrical current which is stopped only when the heat source is removed and the excess electrons have returned back to the positive junctions.
In the 1970s, Howard Hughes invents the Pioneer Space Probe which is the 1st space probe to explore another planet, namely Venus, it used his Radioactive Isotope Thermoelectric Generator to power the Ion Thrusters, that he also invented, on the spacecraft which gave it a top speed of 131,970km/h, making it the fastest man-made object at the time of its launch.
Werner Von Braun later went on to design the Saturn V and Apollo rockets while Tom Kelley designed the Lunar Landing Module that actually brought the astronauts to the moon in 1969.
Then, in 1981, Maxime Faget designed and invented the Space Shuttle which was launched in that same year.
In 2003, Burt Rutan invented the world's 1st fully reusable spaceplane, SpaceShipOne, which had a top speed of 3,815km/h. To fly into space without the aid of boosters and an auxiliary fuel tank like the Space Shuttle, SpaceShipOne used carbon fiber reinforced plastic to reduce weight and a hybrid solid/liquid fuel rocket that used hydrazine as the liquid fuel and had a combustion chamber lined with solid fuel, made of rubber, to increase the amount of thrust produced by the engine, increasing the engine's power-to-weight ratio to the point that the engine was powerful enough to propel the spaceplane to space on its own, though it still needed to be brought to a high altitude by a carrier plane called the White Knight.
Then in 2010, Burt Rutan invented an improved model called SpaceShipTwo which can carry 2 pilots and 6 passengers at a top speed of 4,200km/h. This was the 1st private spaceplane to launch satellites and offer commercial spaceflights.
In 2014, Elon Musk invents the self-propelled floating launch and landing pad for his rockets which eliminates the need to launch or land his reusable rockets from a fixed location that can have bad weather. This way, if there is bad weather in a designated launch or landing site, the self-propelled semi-submersible platform can easily be moved to a different location.
In 2015, Jeff Bezos invents and launches the New Shepard, the world's 1st VTVL, vertical take-off, vertical landing, rocket with a top speed of 3,568km/h in an uncrewed flight. It is also the 1st spacecraft to have fully automated control systems.
In 2019, Elon Musk invents and launches the Dragon 2, the world's 1st fully reusable space capsule with a top speed of 33,511km/h in an uncrewed flight. It is also the world's 1st commercial orbital spacecraft with an altitude of 585km.
In May 30, 2020, the Dragon 2 launches into space with NASA astronauts Douglas Hurley and Robert Behnken in its 1st crewed flight.
In July 20, 2021, Jeff Bezos launches into space with 3 other astronauts: Mark Bezos, Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen in the New Shepard's 1st crewed flight, making Bezos the 1st American Billionaire Polymath Astronaut.
In September 16, 2021, the Dragon 2 launches into space with astronauts Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux, and Christopher Sembroski in its 1st all-civilian crewed flight.
In 2023, Elon Musk invents and launches the Starship, the world's 1st fully reusable rocket/space plane hybrid in an uncrewed flight.
In 2024, Tim Crain, CTO of Intuitive Machines, USA, invents the 1st fully reusable lunar lander probe called the Nova-C. It is also the 1st spacecraft to use his other invention, methalox propulsion.
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