missile technology is necessary. The missile (rocket) technology appears to have its origins in .
the period AD1200-1300 in Asia, especially in China,where the first "propellant" called black .
powder had been in use for about 1000 years for other purposes. In 1232, the Mongols .
described weapons of the Chinese defenders as "arrows of flying fire", when they attacked .
the Chinese city of K"ai-feng. Then in the same century rockets were firstly used in Europe, .
by the Mongols in the battle of Legnica in 1241. But, after the 13th century the firearms, .
which were appeared about 1325 for the first time, became dominant on battlefields. They .
used a closed tube and black powder (gunpowder) to propel a metal ball. Therefore, there .
were no important development in rocket technology and no use of rockets on battlefields .
until the 18th century. In this century, Hyder Ali, a prince in India, developed war rockets .
with some important changes and used them with considerable effect against British.
(Britannica.com, 2000).
When this effective use of rockets was heard in Europe, research and experiments .
about rockets started again. One of the most successful researchers was Sir William Congreve .
from England who designed a rocket with an explosive warhead. His rockets were used by .
British in very important battles during the 19th century. The next significant development in .
rocket technology was made by William Hale. He invented a method to spin the rocket, thus .
he could eliminate the need for the guide stick and improve the performance of the rockets.
(Britannica.com, 2000).
Then in the early years of the 20th century, the velocity and range of the rockets were .
increased. The most important person for rocket technology was Robert H. Goddard in these .
times. He is an american scientist and inventor who from 1908 to 1945 conducted a wide .
array of rocket experiments. He has found a method to make missiles able to reach "extreme .