Oldest space artifact, flash powder experiment

[SteveInNC]

I just happened across this when searching the web for information on flash powder.

We always think of the first space research as being a 1940s-1960s phenomenon. In 1916, Robert Goddard did experiments to determine how much flash powder it would take to be seen on the moon from Earth via a 12-inch (30 cm) telescope. He empirically derived that it would take 2.67 lbs (approx. 1.2 kg).

I'm amazed to find that before the Great Depression, there was serious research about sending a rocket to the moon and having it signal back to Earth. Here is the box he used for the experiments (National Air and Space Museum):

http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/dsh/artifacts/RM-goddardbox.htm

 

[kach22i]

This artifact is the oldest space oriented artifact in the National Air and Space Museum and possibly the world.

Really?

http://www.enterprisemission.com/tombsweb3.html

At the August, 1997 meeting of the " Ancient Astronaut Society World Conference," gathered in Orlando, Florida, the two researchers presented their independent findings on the "insects." Those assembled literally cheered when Belting's model (powered by a small jet engine -- left) successfully took off on video ... flew a set of complex aerodynamic maneuvers ... and then came in for a perfect landing -- all with a model airplane built as an exact match to a tiny gold trinket found in an Incan grave ... dated minimally to over a thousand years ago!

http://www.talariaenterprises.com/products_lg/tal027.html

Do Egyptian, Incan, Mayan and Aztec spaceships and airplanes count?