The first rocket successfully launched by the Soviet GIRD organisation was a hybrid, using a liquid oxygen to burn gelled petroleum in large casing. Development of the rocket was begun by GIRD's second brigade under M K Tikhonravov.

The Central Committee for the Study of Rocket Propulsion (GIRD) was established in the Soviet Union to develop rocket technology. They launched a series of liquid fuel rockets in the 1930's before many of them ended up in prison during Stalin's purges. Those that survived were released and built the Soviet space and missile programs on the basis of German technology after the war.

Manufacturer: Korolev. Apogee: 5.00 km (3.10 mi). Liftoff Thrust: 294 N (66 lbf). Total Mass: 18 kg (39 lb). Core Diameter: 0.17 m (0.55 ft). Total Length: 2.46 m (8.06 ft). Span: 0.63 m (2.06 ft).

1924 April 1 - Launch Vehicle: GIRD-09.

• GiRD established. Nation: USSR. Central Committee for the Study of Rocket Propulsion (GIRD) established in the Soviet Union. References: 17.

• GIRD-09 launch attempt. Nation: USSR. Launch failure. References: 17.

• GIRD-09 launch attempt. Nation: USSR. Launch failure. References: 17.

• First Russian hybrid rocket launch. Nation: USSR. Apogee: 0.40 km (0.25 mi). Russian hybrid propellant rocket, designed by M. K. Tikhonravov, successfully flown. Reached 400 m; design altitude of 5000 m not reached due to loss of pressure integrity of the motor flank. References: 17.

• GIRD-09 launch attempt. Nation: USSR. Launch failure. References: 17.

• GIRD-09 launch attempt. Nation: USSR. Launch failure. References: 17.

• Emme, Eugene M, Aeronautics and Astronautics: An American Chronology of Science and Technology in the Exploration of Space 1915-1960, NASA, 1961. Accessed at: http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/timeline.html.