Dwight D. Eisenhower
president of the United States from 1953 to 1961
German and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
Wernher von Braun was a German-American aerospace engineer and space architect. He was a key figure in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany and later a pioneer of space exploration in the United States. Von Braun worked on the V-2 rocket and later helped launch the first American satellite, Explorer 1, as part of the U.S. space program.
Table of Contents
Family Info
Siblings
Magnus von Braun
Sigismund von Braun
Spouses
Maria von Braun
Children
Margrit von Braun
About the Wernher von Braun
Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braunwas a German-American aerospace engineer and space architect. He was a member of the Nazi Party and Allgemeine SS, the leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany, and later a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States.
As a young man, von Braun worked in Nazi Germany’s rocket development program. He helped design and co-developed the V-2 rocket at Peenemunde during World War II. The V-2 became the first artificial object to travel into space on 20 June 1944. Following the war, he was secretly moved to the United States, along with about 1,600 other German scientists, engineers, and technicians, as part of Operation Paperclip. He worked for the United States Army on an intermediate-range ballistic missile program, and he developed the rockets that launched the United States’ first space satellite Explorer 1 in 1958. He worked with Walt Disney on a series of films, which popularized the idea of human space travel in the U.S. and beyond from 1955 to 1957.
In 1960, his group was assimilated into NASA, where he served as director of the newly formed Marshall Space Flight Center and as the chief architect of the Saturn V super heavy-lift launch vehicle that propelled the Apollo spacecraft to the Moon. In 1967, von Braun was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering, and in 1975, he received the National Medal of Science.
Von Braun is a highly controversial figure widely seen as escaping justice for his Nazi war crimes due to the Americans’ desire to beat the Soviets in the Cold War. He is also sometimes described by others as the “father of space travel”, the “father of rocket science”, or the “father of the American lunar program”. He advocated a human mission to Mars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wernher von Braun was a German-American aerospace engineer and space architect who was a leading figure in the development of rocket technology in Nazi Germany and later a pioneer of rocket and space technology in the United States.
Wernher von Braun was a member of the Nazi Party and Allgemeine SS, and he helped design and co-develop the V-2 rocket at Peenemünde during World War II. The V-2 became the first artificial object to travel into space on 20 June 1944.
After the war, Wernher von Braun was secretly moved to the United States, along with about 1,600 other German scientists, engineers, and technicians, as part of Operation Paperclip. He then worked for the United States Army on an intermediate-range ballistic missile program.
In the United States, Wernher von Braun developed the rockets that launched the United States’ first space satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. He also worked with Walt Disney on a series of films that popularized the idea of human space travel in the U.S. and beyond from 1955 to 1957.
In 1960, Wernher von Braun’s group was assimilated into NASA, where he served as director of the newly formed Marshall Space Flight Center and as the chief architect of the Saturn V super heavy-lift launch vehicle that propelled the Apollo spacecraft to the Moon.
Wernher von Braun is a highly controversial figure, widely seen as escaping justice for his Nazi war crimes due to the Americans’ desire to beat the Soviets in the Cold War. He is also sometimes described as the ,father of space travel,, the ,father of rocket science,, or the ,father of the American lunar program,.
Wernher von Braun advocated for a human mission to Mars, which he believed was the next step in the advancement of space travel.
6 Quotes by Wernher von Braun
- 1.
I have learned to use the word “impossible” with the greatest caution.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
- 2.
We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
- 3.
For my confirmation, I didn’t get a watch and my first pair of long pants, like most Lutheran boys. I got a telescope. My mother thought it would make the best gift.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
- 4.
It will free man from the remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
- 5.
Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)
- 6.
There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program – your tax-dollar will go further.
Wernher von BraunGerman and later American aerospace engineer and space architect (1912-1977)