Wernher von Braun

Date of Birth: March 23, 1912

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 16, 1977

Biography

Wernher von Braun was a German-American aerospace engineer and space architect, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of rocket technology in the 20th century. Born in Wirsitz, Germany (now Wyrzysk, Poland), von Braun developed a passion for rocketry and space exploration at an early age. He earned a doctorate in physics from the University of Berlin and became a leading figure in the development of rocket technology for Germany during World War II, most notably the V-2 rocket. After the war, von Braun, along with many of his team, was brought to the United States under Operation Paperclip, where he played a pivotal role in the development of the U.S. space program. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1955. Von Braun was instrumental in the development of the Redstone rocket, which launched the first American satellite, Explorer 1, into orbit. He also served as the chief architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle, which enabled the Apollo missions to land humans on the Moon. Von Braun worked for NASA from 1960 to 1972, serving as the director of the Marshall Space Flight Center and later as NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning. His contributions to space exploration have left a lasting legacy, making him one of the most celebrated figures in the history of aerospace engineering.

5 Interesting Facts about Wernher von Braun

1. Wernher von Braun was a member of the Nazi Party and the SS during World War II, a controversial aspect of his legacy.

2. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1975 for his contributions to rocket technology and space exploration.

3. Von Braun appeared on the cover of Time magazine on February 17, 1958.

4. He was a key figure in the development of the American space program, advocating for missions to Mars and beyond.

5. Von Braun authored several books and articles, including “The Mars Project,” which outlined his vision for human exploration of Mars.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Wernher von Braun

1. “I have learned to use the word ‘impossible’ with the greatest caution.”

2. “Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.”

3. “We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.”

4. “The rocket worked perfectly, except for landing on the wrong planet.”

5. “Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft, and the only one that can be mass-produced with unskilled labor.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, Wernher von Braun’s net worth was estimated to be around $1 million, which is approximately $4.5 million today when adjusted for inflation.

Children

Wernher von Braun had three children with his wife, Maria Luise von Quistorp: Iris Careen von Braun, Margrit Cécile von Braun, and Peter Constantine von Braun.