The Life of The Life of

Wernher Von BraunWernher Von Braun

By Georgia CleworthBy Georgia Cleworth

IntroductionIntroduction

Wernher Von Braun was one of the Wernher Von Braun was one of the world's first rocket engineers and a world's first rocket engineers and a leading expert on space travel. His will leading expert on space travel. His will to expand man's knowledge through to expand man's knowledge through the exploration of space led to the the exploration of space led to the development of: development of:

Explorer satellites, Explorer satellites, the Jupiter and Jupiter-C rockets, the Jupiter and Jupiter-C rockets, Pershing, Pershing, the Redstone rocket, the Redstone rocket, Saturn rockets andSaturn rockets and Skylab, the world's first space station. Skylab, the world's first space station. Additionally, his determination to "go Additionally, his determination to "go

where no man has gone before" led to where no man has gone before" led to mankind setting foot on the moon.mankind setting foot on the moon.

Skip to Working for HitlerSkip to Working for Hitler During the WW II, Braun began working on a new secret weapon, During the WW II, Braun began working on a new secret weapon,

the V2 Rocket. This 45 feet long, liquid-fuelled rocket carried a one the V2 Rocket. This 45 feet long, liquid-fuelled rocket carried a one ton warhead, and was capable of supersonic speed and could fly at ton warhead, and was capable of supersonic speed and could fly at an altitude of over 50 miles. As a result it could not be effectively an altitude of over 50 miles. As a result it could not be effectively stopped once launched.stopped once launched.

In 1950, von Braun and his team were transferred to Huntsville, In 1950, von Braun and his team were transferred to Huntsville, Alabama, his home for the next twenty years. Between 1950 and Alabama, his home for the next twenty years. Between 1950 and 1956, von Braun led the Army's development team at Redstone 1956, von Braun led the Army's development team at Redstone Arsenal, resulting in the Arsenal's namesake: the Redstone rocket. Arsenal, resulting in the Arsenal's namesake: the Redstone rocket.

Space ExplorationSpace Exploration

Still dreaming of a world in Still dreaming of a world in which rockets would be used which rockets would be used for peaceful exploration, in for peaceful exploration, in 1952 Dr. von Braun 1952 Dr. von Braun published his concept of a published his concept of a space station in Collier's space station in Collier's magazine. This station magazine. This station would have a diameter of would have a diameter of 250 feet, orbit in a 1075 250 feet, orbit in a 1075 mile-high orbit, and spin to mile-high orbit, and spin to provide artificial gravity. In provide artificial gravity. In his vision, it would be the his vision, it would be the perfect jumping-off point for perfect jumping-off point for lunar expeditions.lunar expeditions.

Interesting FactInteresting Fact

Dr. Von Braun also worked Dr. Von Braun also worked with Disney studios as a with Disney studios as a technical director for three technical director for three television films about Space television films about Space Exploration. Over the years Exploration. Over the years von Braun continued his von Braun continued his work with Disney, hoping work with Disney, hoping that Disney's involvement that Disney's involvement would bring about greater would bring about greater public interest in the future public interest in the future of the space program.of the space program.

Further WorkFurther Work Director of the Development Operations Division of the Army Ballistic Missile Director of the Development Operations Division of the Army Ballistic Missile

Agency (ABMA)Agency (ABMA) Von Braun's team then developed the Jupiter-C, a modified Redstone rocket. The Von Braun's team then developed the Jupiter-C, a modified Redstone rocket. The

Jupiter-C successfully launched the western hemisphere's first satellite, Explorer 1, Jupiter-C successfully launched the western hemisphere's first satellite, Explorer 1, on January 31, 1958. on January 31, 1958.

Dr. von Braun was the Marshall Center's first Director, from July 1960 to February Dr. von Braun was the Marshall Center's first Director, from July 1960 to February 1970. Its first major program was development of the Saturn rockets, capable of 1970. Its first major program was development of the Saturn rockets, capable of carrying astronauts to the moon. carrying astronauts to the moon.

Von Braun's dream to help mankind set foot on the moon became a reality on July Von Braun's dream to help mankind set foot on the moon became a reality on July 16, 1969 when a Marshall-developed Saturn V rocket launched the crew of Apollo 16, 1969 when a Marshall-developed Saturn V rocket launched the crew of Apollo 11. Over the course of the Apollo program, six teams of astronauts explored the 11. Over the course of the Apollo program, six teams of astronauts explored the surface of our moon.surface of our moon.

After the Apollo program, the Saturn 1B, also developed at Marshall under von After the Apollo program, the Saturn 1B, also developed at Marshall under von Braun's leadership, lifted the Skylab, the world's first space station, and its crews Braun's leadership, lifted the Skylab, the world's first space station, and its crews into orbit. The final use of the Saturn was during the historic Apollo-Soyuz mission into orbit. The final use of the Saturn was during the historic Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975, when an Apollo spacecraft linked up with a Russian Soyuz craft.in 1975, when an Apollo spacecraft linked up with a Russian Soyuz craft.

The EndThe End

At the peak of his activities, von Braun learned he had At the peak of his activities, von Braun learned he had cancer. Despite surgery, the cancer progressed, cancer. Despite surgery, the cancer progressed, forcing him to retire from Fairchild on December 31, forcing him to retire from Fairchild on December 31, 1976. 1976.

On June 16 1977, Wernher von Braun died.On June 16 1977, Wernher von Braun died.

A Song About HimA Song About HimARTIST: Tom LehrerARTIST: Tom LehrerTITLE: Wernher Von BraunTITLE: Wernher Von Braun

Gather round while I sing you of Wernher von BraunGather round while I sing you of Wernher von BraunA man whose allegiance is ruled by expedienceA man whose allegiance is ruled by expedienceCall him a Nazi, he won't even frownCall him a Nazi, he won't even frown"Ha, Nazi schmazi," says Wernher von Braun"Ha, Nazi schmazi," says Wernher von BraunDon't say that he's hypocritical Say rather that he's Don't say that he's hypocritical Say rather that he's

apoliticalapolitical"Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come "Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come

downdownThat's not my department," says Wernher von BraunThat's not my department," says Wernher von BraunSome have harsh words for this man of renownSome have harsh words for this man of renownBut some think our attitude should be one of But some think our attitude should be one of

gratitudegratitudeLike the widows and cripples in old London townLike the widows and cripples in old London townWho owe their large pensions to Wernher von BraunWho owe their large pensions to Wernher von BraunYou too may be a big heroYou too may be a big heroOnce you've learned to count backwards to zeroOnce you've learned to count backwards to zero"In German oder English I know how to count down"In German oder English I know how to count downUnd I'm learning Chinese," says Wernher von Braun Und I'm learning Chinese," says Wernher von Braun