AFTER sporadic development for several centuries and rather intensive development during the last 12 years, the rocket may now be considered a reliable mechanism. As a heat engine it is necessarily inefficient, but it is unsurpassed wherever power is required for a short period, regardless of whether in air or vacuum. World War II indicated the future importance of rockets as weapons and thrust units. German V-2 rockets carried eight tons of propellant plus an explosive war-head several hundred miles. Rocket boats were able to discharge ammunition at the rate of half a ton a second for nearly a minute. Single-seater fighter planes delivered a rocket salvo equal in hitting power to the broadside from a small cruiser. Rocket JATO's enabled heavy planes to take off from small airfields and carriers. As rockets became more and more a part of modern warfare, in the interests of national security the Navy Department decided that a station ...