March 16, 2012 On this date 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's first research center, and it was named in memory of Robert Goddard, the rocketry pioneer. Credit: NASA NASA image use policy. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and…