Dr. Robert H. Goddard. On this date (3/16/2012) 86 years ago, Dr. Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945) launched the first liquid fueled rocket in MA.  March 16, 1961: the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center was formally dedicated. This was NASA&#x27;s first research center, and it was named in memory of Robert Goddard, the rocketry pioneer.  Credit: NASA