After arriving in the US, debate grew regarding his role in the Nazi regime. Despite claims that he was forced to join the Nazi party and SS, his involvement remained controversial, with critics pointing to his leadership role in developing the V-2 rocket used against civilian populations.

Von Braun faced criticism for his involvement in both military and peaceful space programs. The ethical dilemma centered on whether his pursuit of space exploration justified his earlier work on weapons of destruction. He attempted to reconcile this by emphasizing the potential benefits of space technology for humanity.

Historians continue to debate the extent of von Braun's knowledge of and complicity in Nazi atrocities, particularly the use of slave labor in the production of V-2 rockets. These discussions reflect the complex ethical challenges inherent in evaluating individuals who served morally compromised regimes.