Abstrakt
Although first mentions are from 15th Century when both Hussites and Crusaders should used Rockets during Hussite Wars (Bohemian Wars) there is not any strong evidence that Rockets were really used. It is worth to note that Konrad Kyeser, who described several Rockets in his Manuscript named Bellifortis in 1402-1405, served as Advisor to Bohemian King Wenceslaus IV.
The Rockets were in fact used from 16th Century in Noble Circles as Part of Fire-Works. Some of them were built by Vavřinec Křička z Bitýšky who also published a book of Fire-Works where he described how to build a rocket for Fire-Works.
Czech Soldiers were involved also in creation of a Rocket Regiment of Austrian (Austro-Hungarian) Army in first half of 19th Century. Time of Pioneers of Modern Rocket Development begun in Czech Lands in twenties and thirties of 20th Century.
First Rockets were succesfully launched by Ludvík Očenášek in 1930 and one of them possibly reached an altitude of 2000 meters. Vladimír Mandl, lawyer and author of first book on subject of Space Law, patented his project of a stage rocket (vysokostoupající raketa) in 1932, but this project has not been realized.
There were several factories during time of the so called Protektorat Böhmen und Mähren in 1939-1945, when Czech Lands were occupated by Nazi Germany where parts of German Rockets Mark A4/V2 were produced. But none of the Czech Technicians or Constructors knew how to build and construct an entire rocket.
The main Goal of Czech Aircraft Industry after WW2 was to re-birth of stagnant Aircraft Industry. The Political Board of the Central Committe of Czechoslovak Communist Party started to study possibilies to create a rocket industry after the first flight to Space and mainly after the US Nuclear Weapons have been istalled in 1957 amd 1959 in Italy and in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The first project was project of Meteorological Rockets Sokol I