Replicating Goddard’s Rockets (1920s–30s) — Manually Lit by Ground Crew!

by ArihantNag in Circuits > Remote Control

434 Views, 3 Favorites, 0 Comments

Replicating Goddard’s Rockets (1920s–30s) — Manually Lit by Ground Crew!

The Story of Robert Goddard, Father of Modern Rocketry

Robert Goddard, often called the father of modern rocketry, built some of the earliest liquid‑fuel rockets. As this video by NASA shows, his ignition systems were astonishingly simple by today’s standards, and very hands‑on.

Goddard’s rockets did not have onboard igniters. Instead, ignition was performed from the ground, usually by: A torch or flame inserted into the engine nozzle

A pyrotechnic igniter placed manually (what this tutorial teaches you how to make)

A ground‑controlled electrical spark system

In honor of Artimis II (and of course Goddard) I decided to make an Ignition system that would cost > $200, but I made it for $7 and you can too! It replicates his system of igniting a rocket from the ground up, literally! Its super simple, here's what it packs -- a website that displays the current time, a countdown clock, a ledger for average retrieval times, a checklist, and a disarm button. the system uses a 400kV step up transformer to ignite a matchstick. From there you can choose to test any engines you want from a safe distance via a Wi-Fi connection. I used it to test my pulse jet engines, but you can use it for rocket motors of any size or testing engines (solid and liquid propellant).

Supplies

ESP-32 S3 (you can use any ESP-32) -- Amazon.com: 2PCS ESP32 ESP32-S3 Development Board Type-C WiFi+Bluetooth Internet of Things Dual Type-C Core Board ESP32-S3-DevKit N16R8 Development Board ESP32-S3 Module : Electronics

Step up transformer -- Amazon.com: AEDIKO 2pcs High Voltage Generator DC 3v-6v to 400kV 400000V Boost Step-up Power Module High Voltage Transformer : Electronics

Relay Module -- Amazon.com: Tolako 5v Relay Module 5V Indicator Light LED 1 Channel Relay Module for Arduino ARM PIC AVR MCU : Industrial & Scientific

breadboard -- 4PCS Breadboards Kit Include 2PCS 830 Point 2PCS 400 Point Solderless Breadboards for Proto Shield Distribution Connecting Blocks: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Circuit

FY18KW5MMJNPCBS.png

I added an armed LED for safety due to the arc module showing no signs of being active even when so, also the Esp 32 used here is the ESP32 S3, but You can use any ESP32 of your choice. A psu must be used to ignite the matchsticks, I used a 5v USB cable i spliced with pliers.

Code the Launchpad

FSC7G53MMJNPCIM.png

Not much to say other than your welcome:

#include <WiFi.h>
#include <WebServer.h>
#include <Adafruit_NeoPixel.h>

// ================= ACCESS POINT CONFIG =================
const char* apSSID = "ESP32_Ignition";
const char* apPassword = "12345678";

const int relayPin = 13;

// Onboard RGB LED (ESP32-S3 typical pin)
#define RGB_PIN 48
#define NUM_PIXELS 1

Adafruit_NeoPixel rgb(NUM_PIXELS, RGB_PIN, NEO_GRB + NEO_KHZ800);

WebServer server(80);

bool launched = false;
unsigned long lastBlink = 0;
bool ledState = false;

// ================= RGB LED FUNCTIONS ====================
void setRGB(uint8_t r, uint8_t g, uint8_t b) {
rgb.setPixelColor(0, rgb.Color(r, g, b));
rgb.show();
}

void blinkBlue() {
if (millis() - lastBlink >= 1000) {
ledState = !ledState;
if (ledState) setRGB(0, 0, 50);
else setRGB(0, 0, 0);
lastBlink = millis();
}
}

// ================= HTML PAGE ====================
String htmlPage() {
String buttonLabel = launched ? "RESET" : "LAUNCH";
String buttonAction = launched ? "reset()" : "startCountdown()";

String html = R"rawliteral(
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
<title>Launch Control</title>

<style>
body {
margin: 0;
height: 100vh;
overflow: hidden;
background: radial-gradient(circle at top, #001020, #000000 70%);
color: white;
display: flex;
justify-content: center;
align-items: center;
font-family: 'Orbitron', sans-serif;
}

.stars {
width: 100%;
height: 100%;
background: url('https://i.imgur.com/9yG7z1j.png');
background-size: cover;
position: absolute;
top: 0;
left: 0;
animation: drift 80s linear infinite;
opacity: 0.4;
}

@keyframes drift {
from { transform: scale(1) translateY(0); }
to { transform: scale(1.3) translateY(-300px); }
}

button {
font-size: 40px;
padding: 30px 80px;
border: none;
border-radius: 20px;
background: linear-gradient(180deg, #0044ff, #0011aa);
color: white;
cursor: pointer;
z-index: 10;
box-shadow: 0 0 25px #0055ff;
transition: 0.3s;
}

button:hover {
background: linear-gradient(180deg, #3366ff, #0022cc);
box-shadow: 0 0 45px #3388ff;
}

#countdown {
position: absolute;
top: 20%;
font-size: 80px;
text-shadow: 0 0 20px #00aaff;
display: none;
}

input {
position: absolute;
top: 70%;
font-size: 30px;
padding: 10px 20px;
border-radius: 10px;
border: none;
outline: none;
background: #002244;
color: white;
box-shadow: 0 0 15px #0044aa;
text-align: center;
}
</style>
</head>

<body>
<div class="stars"></div>

<div id="countdown"></div>

<input id="timerInput" type="number" min="0" placeholder="Seconds (optional)">

<button onclick="action()" id="mainBtn">BUTTON_TEXT</button>

<script>
function action() {
ACTION
}

function startCountdown() {
let input = document.getElementById("timerInput").value;
let seconds = parseInt(input);

if (isNaN(seconds) || seconds <= 0) {
fetch('/launch').then(() => location.reload());
return;
}

let cd = document.getElementById("countdown");
let btn = document.getElementById("mainBtn");
let box = document.getElementById("timerInput");

btn.style.display = "none";
box.style.display = "none";
cd.style.display = "block";
cd.innerHTML = "T-" + seconds;

let timer = setInterval(() => {
seconds--;
if (seconds < 0) {
clearInterval(timer);
cd.innerHTML = "T+0";
fetch('/launch');

let tplus = 1;
setInterval(() => {
cd.innerHTML = "T+" + tplus;
tplus++;
}, 1000);

} else {
cd.innerHTML = "T-" + seconds;
}
}, 1000);
}

function reset() {
fetch('/reset').then(() => location.reload());
}
</script>

</body>
</html>
)rawliteral";

html.replace("BUTTON_TEXT", buttonLabel);
html.replace("ACTION", buttonAction);

return html;
}

// ================= HANDLERS ==========================
void handleRoot() {
server.send(200, "text/html", htmlPage());
}

void handleLaunch() {
launched = true;

// Relay ON (active LOW)
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW);

// Solid red LED
setRGB(50, 0, 0);

server.send(200, "text/plain", "LAUNCHED");
}

void handleReset() {
launched = false;

// Relay OFF (active HIGH)
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);

// Return to blinking blue
setRGB(0, 0, 0);

server.send(200, "text/plain", "RESET");
}

// ================= SETUP =============================
void setup() {
pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);

// Relay OFF at boot
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH);

rgb.begin();
rgb.setBrightness(50);
setRGB(0, 0, 0);

WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
WiFi.softAP(apSSID, apPassword);

server.on("/", handleRoot);
server.on("/launch", handleLaunch);
server.on("/reset", handleReset);
server.begin();
}

// ================= LOOP ==============================
void loop() {
server.handleClient();

if (!launched) {
blinkBlue();
}
}

Or use this simpler lightweight code:

#include <WiFi.h>
#include <WebServer.h>

const char* apSSID = "Pagasis";
const char* apPassword = "12345678";

WebServer server(80);

const int relayPin = 13;

bool relayOn = false;

// ================= HTML PAGE ====================
String htmlPage() {
String html = R"rawliteral(
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">

<style>
body {
background: black;
color: white;
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
text-align: center;
padding-top: 80px;
}

input {
font-size: 60px;
width: 300px;
padding: 20px;
border: none;
border-radius: 10px;
text-align: center;
}

button {
font-size: 50px;
padding: 25px 60px;
margin-top: 40px;
border: none;
border-radius: 10px;
cursor: pointer;
}

#startBtn {
background: #1e90ff;
color: white;
}

#disarmBtn {
background: red;
color: white;
display: none;
}

#countdown {
font-size: 80px;
margin-top: 40px;
display: none;
}
</style>
</head>

<body>

<input id="timeInput" type="number" min="1" placeholder="Seconds">

<br>
<button id="startBtn" onclick="startCountdown()">START</button>

<div id="countdown"></div>

<button id="disarmBtn" onclick="disarm()">DISARM</button>

<script>
let seconds = 0;
let timer;

function startCountdown() {
let input = document.getElementById("timeInput");
seconds = parseInt(input.value);

if (isNaN(seconds) || seconds <= 0) {
alert("Enter a valid number");
return;
}

input.style.display = "none";
document.getElementById("startBtn").style.display = "none";

let cd = document.getElementById("countdown");
cd.style.display = "block";
cd.innerHTML = seconds;

timer = setInterval(() => {
seconds--;
cd.innerHTML = seconds;

if (seconds <= 0) {
clearInterval(timer);
cd.innerHTML = "ACTIVE";
fetch('/activate');
document.getElementById("disarmBtn").style.display = "inline-block";
}
}, 1000);
}

function disarm() {
fetch('/disarm');
location.reload();
}
</script>

</body>
</html>
)rawliteral";

return html;
}

// ================= HANDLERS ====================
void handleRoot() {
server.send(200, "text/html", htmlPage());
}

void handleActivate() {
relayOn = true;
digitalWrite(relayPin, HIGH); // ACTIVE HIGH
server.send(200, "text/plain", "ON");
}

void handleDisarm() {
relayOn = false;
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW); // OFF
server.send(200, "text/plain", "OFF");
}

// ================= SETUP ====================
void setup() {
pinMode(relayPin, OUTPUT);
digitalWrite(relayPin, LOW); // OFF at boot

WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
WiFi.softAP(apSSID, apPassword);

server.on("/", handleRoot);
server.on("/activate", handleActivate);
server.on("/disarm", handleDisarm);

server.begin();
}

// ================= LOOP ====================
void loop() {
server.handleClient();
}

How to Use It (safely)

FJE7CD7MMJNPDMF.png

In order to ignite the match, the 2 wires from which the arc come from must be touching opposite ends of the phosphorus of the matchstick. Once You have ran the code connect to the ESP 32 Wi-Fi (ESP32_Ignition). The Wi-Fi password is 12345678. After you're connected, go to your ESP32's IP address. From there you can Set a timer, once it hits 0 the relay will turn on and the matchstick will ignite, remember to disarm it after ignition (the arc should sound like a high-pitched buzz, if not make sure contact points on the match are touching and on opposite sides of the phosphorus - the red combustible stuff)

Demo + Launch

ignition system
rocket launch

From here it's quite simple, light stuff on fire.

But in all honesty Goddard’s rockets in the 1920s–30s were astonishingly simple compared to modern aerospace standards. They didn’t have onboard igniters or automated sequencing. Instead, ignition was performed entirely from the ground, using one of three methods: Torch or Flame in the Nozzle

A technician would literally place a flame into the engine nozzle to ignite the propellants. Primitive, risky, but effective. 2. Pyrotechnic Igniter (Manually Inserted) 3. Ground‑Controlled Electrical Spark

Goddard eventually used a spark‑based system — still ground‑activated — to ignite the fuel mixture. Remember to always have someone qualified or an adult present during ignition.

If I Were Goddard...

DJI 20260418224156 0174 D

Had I lived during the time of great madness with rockets, this is how I would ignite them.