Wernher Von Braun: The Father Of Rocket Science

Wernher Von Braun: The Father of Rocket Science.

Although Wernher Von Braun hated math and science as a child in school, he pushed his teachers. Studying, and nights of hard labor and research led to the greatest space exploration program in all of mankind. Von Braun was awarded with many medals, certificates, and trophies. He launched satellites and astronauts into space, and to the moon. He led over 4,000 scientists to NASA and controlled the space flight center for over 10 years. America’s asset, Wernher Von Braun was a clever, revolutionary man that not only sent our men to the moon, but kick started the entire space exploration program.

The many awards given to Wernher Von Braun include many. The Robert H. Goddard Memorial trophy, the Distinguished Federal Service award, the National medal of Science, and so many more are to list. To millions, Von Braun’s name was inextricably linked to our exploration of space and to the creative application of technology. He was not only a skillful engineer but a bold man of his vision. Working hard day and night for weeks was just the beginning. “His inspirational leadership helped mobilize and maintain the effort we needed to reach the moon and beyond” (Collier #1).

In 1930, Von Braun accepted an offer in Germany to write his theory in exchange for a PH.D.

in physics. In that same year, the researchers in Germany developed and launched two A-2 rockets that reached over 1.4 miles high. After the first launch, the team experienced failures, and more failures. However, they did create the world’s largest rocket. The A-4 rocket was 45 feet long, and had a 25 ton thrust which delivered a 1-ton warhead that could reach a target up to 160 miles away. In February of 1956, a new organization was formed for the development of the Jupiter Rockets. With these rockets, the Pioneer IV went past the moon and into orbit around the sun following its launch March 3rd,

1959.
Undoubtedly the greatest claim to fame of Von Braun and his team was the powerful Saturn family of rockets, which propelled our Americans into space and also orbiting the moon, landing twelve of them on the lunar surface. Development of these launch vehicles began at A.M.B.A and was completed under the management of NASA. After Von Braun and over 4,000 AMBA employees formed the new George C. Marshall Space Flight Center, Von Braun took over the flight center and controlled it for over ten years. In this new management, their team produced bigger and better rockets, one being 363 feet high. (Six stories above the top of the Statue of Liberty.) Its first stage was made of the largest aluminum cylinder ever produced; its valves were as large as barrels and its fuel pumps were as large as refrigerators.

America’s asset, Wernher Von Braun was a clever, revolutionary man who not only sent men to the moon, but kick started the entire space exploration movement. Through his development of rockets, missiles, his own knowledge, and so much more, America has been greatly impacted by his work. NASA today is bigger, better, and more powerful because of his theories. He inspired students and scientists to dream big and see what is out there past the stars.