The passage discusses the history and development of rocket technology from ancient times to the modern era. It begins by explaining that while the concept of rockets has existed for over 2000 years, it was not until the discovery of the reaction principle in the 10th century that rocket technology could truly develop. This discovery allowed for the exploration of space. However, significant progress still took many centuries, with major advances occurring between the 17th-19th centuries as various groups experimented with rockets for both military and civilian uses. The passage traces the origins and developments of rocket technology among various ancient civilizations and its increasing military applications over time.