Facts on Wernher Von Braun: Inventor of the V-2 Rocket

Wernher Von Braun was born on March 23rd 1912 in Wrsitz(Back then, part of the German Empire, but now in Poland). Von Braun is mostly known for developing the V-2 Rocket for Germany in World War II and later on, the Saturn V Rocket System for the Americans, after being secretly shifted to the United States.

Facts about Dr. Werner Von Braun:

• He studied engineering at Universities of Berlin and Zurich.
• He also got a PhD in physics in 1934.
• In 1936 he was appointed Technical Director of a Rocket Research Facility.
• In just 2 years after his appointment, Von Braun developed a prototype rocket, capable of carrying a warhead for 11 miles. After getting support from Hitler he perfected the design. This improved version was called the V-2(vergeltungswaffe), meaning reprisal or retribution weapon.
• Each V-2 rocket was capable of carrying warheads weighing 1000kg for 200 miles.
• Germans launched over 3000 V-2 rockets on Allied Forces during World War II.
• These V-2 attacks resulted in the deaths of over 9000 civilians and soldiers.
• The V-2 rocket was the world’s first ballistic missile system.
• In May 1945 Von Braun and his brother who was also a rocket scientist, surrendered to the American Forces.
• He was brought to the United States and made an American citizen.
• Braun was made Director of the U.S. Ballistic Missile Agency in Alabama.
• In addition to developing the V-2 rockets Von Braun is also known for developing the Red Stone rocket, America’s first ballistic missile.
• Braun also developed the first Untied States satellite which was launched from Cape Canaveral on 31st January 1958.
• Besides this, he is also responsible for the Saturn V Rocket System. The Saturn V rocket was used in the Apollo missions.
• The successful flight which resulted in the Moon Landing of July 1969, also used Saturn V rockets.
• Dr. Von Braun was known as a ladies man. While studying in Berlin, he was often seen in the company of two girlfriends at once.
• Braun also wrote a science fiction novel about humans going to Mars but his manuscript was rejected by at least 18 publishers.
• Von Braun also worked with Walt Disney on the production of three educational films about space exploration.
• Some people accused him of enforcing slave labor in V-2 rocket factories. However, Braun denied these allegations.
• He said that he was aware of slave labor being used in the factories but he was helpless and couldn’t do anything about it.
• Dr. Braun died of pancreatic cancer on June 16th 1977.

Von Braun was a brilliant scientist who made some great accomplishments in science. He encouraged space exploration and himself had a passion to go on the Moon. Some people believe, Americans couldn’t have made it to the Moon if it wasn’t for Von Braun.