Wernher von Braun

Overview

Wernher von Braun was a pivotal figure in the history of rocketry and space exploration. Born in Germany, his early fascination with space led him to pursue rocketry with fervor, even as it became intertwined with the Nazi war effort. After World War II, he and his team were brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, where he played a crucial role in developing the American space program, culminating in the Apollo moon landings. This timeline highlights key moments in his life, illustrating his scientific genius, complex ethical considerations, and lasting legacy.

Main Milestones

Birth in Wirsitz, Germany (present-day Wyrzysk, Poland)

March 23, 1912

Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun was born into an aristocratic family in Wirsitz, then part of the German Empire. His father was a conservative politician, and his mother fostered his intellectual curiosity. A pivotal moment occurred when he received a telescope for his confirmation, igniting his lifelong fascination with astronomy and the possibility of space travel.

Early Rocketry Research and the German Army

1930-1937

Von Braun joined the Verein für Raumschiffahrt (VfR), an amateur rocket group, and simultaneously enrolled in the Berlin Institute of Technology, earning a doctorate in physics in 1934. Recognizing the military potential of rocketry, he joined the German Army Ordnance Department, leading a team that developed the A-4 rocket, later known as the V-2.

Development of the V-2 Rocket at Peenemünde

1937-1945

Von Braun became the technical director of the Army Research Center Peenemünde, where he oversaw the development of the V-2 rocket. This was the world's first long-range guided ballistic missile, used by Nazi Germany to bomb London and other Allied cities. The creation of the V-2 is a morally complex period, demonstrating his technical brilliance while inextricably linking him to the Nazi regime and its atrocities involving forced labor in the production of these weapons.

Surrender to American Forces

May 2, 1945

As the war drew to a close, Von Braun and his team, fearing capture by the Soviets, strategically surrendered to the American forces. He understood that the Americans were more likely to support his vision for space exploration and that their resources could help further his dreams.

Operation Paperclip and Fort Bliss

1945-1950

Von Braun and a select group of his team were brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, a secret program to bring German scientists and engineers to the US. They were stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where they worked on adapting V-2 technology for American use and training American personnel in rocketry.

Redstone Arsenal and Jupiter Missiles

1950-1960

Von Braun's team was transferred to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Here, they developed the Redstone missile, which later launched America's first satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. They also developed the Jupiter-C rocket, a modified Redstone, and the Jupiter intermediate-range ballistic missile.

NASA and the Saturn V Rocket

1960-1970

Von Braun and his team were transferred to NASA in 1960, becoming the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. As director, he oversaw the development of the Saturn V rocket, the massive launch vehicle that propelled the Apollo missions to the Moon. His vision and leadership were instrumental in the success of the Apollo program.

Apollo 11 Moon Landing

1969

The culmination of Von Braun's work was the successful landing of Apollo 11 on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The Saturn V rocket, which he had led the development of, performed flawlessly, demonstrating the power and reliability of his engineering designs. This event marked a pivotal moment in human history and cemented Von Braun's legacy as a leading figure in space exploration.

NASA Headquarters and Future Planning

1970-1972

Von Braun moved to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., as Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning. He focused on planning future space missions, including manned missions to Mars. However, funding cuts and shifting priorities within NASA led to his disillusionment.

Resignation from NASA

1972

Frustrated by the lack of support for his long-term vision of space exploration, Von Braun resigned from NASA in 1972.

Death in Alexandria, Virginia

June 16, 1977

Wernher von Braun died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 65 in Alexandria, Virginia. He left behind a complex legacy as a brilliant engineer who contributed immensely to both weapons development and space exploration. His life raises profound ethical questions about the responsibility of scientists and engineers in the modern world.