The Soviet launch of Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, shocked the United States and intensified the Space Race. This event underscored the urgency of developing American space capabilities, and von Braun's expertise became even more valuable.

Von Braun's team successfully launched Explorer 1, the first American satellite, using a Jupiter-C rocket derived from the Redstone. This was a significant achievement that demonstrated America's technological prowess.

The ABMA's space-related activities were transferred to NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and the Marshall Space Flight Center was established in Huntsville, Alabama, with von Braun as its first director. This transition marked a shift from military to civilian space exploration.

President Kennedy's bold declaration to land a man on the Moon by the end of the decade provided a clear goal for the US space program. Von Braun and his team were tasked with developing the necessary technology to achieve this ambitious objective.

Von Braun led the development of the Saturn V rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built. The Saturn V was crucial for the Apollo program and the eventual Moon landings. He managed a large team of engineers and scientists, overcoming numerous technical challenges to realize this incredibly complex project.

The Apollo 11 mission successfully landed Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, fulfilling President Kennedy's commitment and marking a historic triumph for the United States. Von Braun's Saturn V rocket played a central role in this achievement.

Von Braun continued to oversee the development and launch of subsequent Apollo missions, further expanding our knowledge of the Moon. However, public interest in the Moon landings began to wane, and the Apollo program was eventually scaled back.

Von Braun received the Distinguished Public Service Medal from NASA, recognizing his contributions to the US space program.

Von Braun left NASA, feeling that his vision for future space exploration was not being adequately supported. He had advocated for a more ambitious program of lunar exploration and the development of reusable spacecraft.