1935 - Exploration, Colonization

Exploration, Colonization

Soviet physicist, mathematician, and space-travel pioneer Konstantin Tsiolkovsky dies of cancer at Kaluga September 19 at age 78, having said, "Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever" (see Dornberger, 1932). Tsiolkovsky has proposed the use of liquid propellants to give rockets maximum speed and energy efficiency and 6 years ago introduced the idea of staged rocket launches, with component propulsion units that burn out and separate from the main rocket at various intervals following lift-off and during orbit.

Arctic explorer Adolphus W. Greely receives the Congressional Medal of Honor and dies at Washington, D.C., October 20 at age 91.

Polar explorers Lincoln Ellsworth and Hubert Wilkins make the first successful flight across the Antarctic continent November 22.