Franz von Hoefft

Franz Oskar Leo Elder von Hoefft (1882–1954) was an Austrian space scientist.^[1]

Biography

Born on 5 April 1882 in Vienna, von Hoefft's initial military career was cut short due to poor eyesight, leading him to pursue academics.^[2] He obtained a Phd in chemistry from the University of Vienna in 1907 after studying at the University of Technology in Vienna.^[2][3]

In 1926, von Hoefft co-founded the Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft für Höhenforschung (Scientific Society for High Altitude Research), the first organization in Europe dedicated to space-related research and served as its president.^[2][3][4] This society engaged in early space exploration concepts and collaborated with contemporaries in rocketry, such as Hermann Oberth.^[2]

Von Hoefft proposed several rocket designs, starting with the RH-1, a sounding rocket intended for high-altitude atmospheric research.^[2][3] This was followed by the RH-2, designed for tasks like transporting mail and photographing Earth from high altitudes.^[2] The RH-3, a two-stage rocket, was conceptualized for lunar missions.^[2] His most advanced proposals were the RH-V, a spacecraft for global and lunar travel, and the RH-VIII, a multistage rocket designed for interplanetary exploration.^[2] He suggested these rockets could be built in space to bypass the constraints of Earth-based launches.^[2]

Von Hoefft's work was hindered by internal disagreements within Austria's rocketry community and the political changes in Austria during the 1930s.^[2] The Scientific Society for High Altitude Research dissolved in 1930, and following Austria's annexation in 1938, the focus of rocketry shifted towards military applications.^[2]

Von Hoefft died in Linz, Austria, in 1954, having made significant early contributions to the field of space science.^[2][3]