What technique did William Hale develop in rocketry?

William Hale developed the technique of spin stabilization in rocketry, which significantly enhanced the control and accuracy of rockets during flight. Spin stabilization involves rotating the rocket about its longitudinal axis, similar to how a well-thrown football remains stable in the air. This rotation helps to maintain a consistent trajectory and reduces instability caused by atmospheric disturbances or aerodynamic forces.

The effectiveness of spin stabilization lies in its ability to provide gyroscopic stability, allowing rockets to fly straight and true over long distances. This technique became critical in the development of military and civilian rockets, leading to advancements in guided missile technology and other rocketry applications.

The other options, while notable advancements in rocketry, do not pertain to Hale's contributions specifically. For instance, the achievement of being the first to orbit the Earth is attributed to human spaceflight milestones, while improved rocket accuracy could refer generally to advancements that came after Hale's work. Steam rocket engines, although interesting, are a different aspect of rocketry mechanics that do not relate to Hale’s specific achievements in rocketry techniques.