Wernher von Braun: V-2 Rocket, Redstone & NASA Saturn V Moon Rocket
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Biographical timeline of Wernher von Braun, German-American aerospace engineer who developed the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany and later became chief architect of the Saturn V moon rocket for NASA's Apollo program.
Chronological Storyline (31 Milestones)
Mar 23, 1912 CE
Wernher von Braun is Born in Wirsitz, Germany
Wernher Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun is born in Wirsitz, Posen Province, Prussia. #history #biography
Wernher von Braun is Born in Wirsitz, Germany By NASA/MSFC - https://www.nasa.gov/topics/history/features/vonbraun.html [1], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6720168
1925 CE
Receives Telescope from His Mother
His mother gives him a telescope, sparking his lifelong interest in astronomy and space. #science #space
Sep 1, 1930 CE
Joins Spaceflight Society (VfR)
Von Braun joins the German Society for Space Travel (Verein für Raumschiffahrt), working with rocket pioneers. #rocketry #space
Joins Spaceflight Society (VfR) By Verein für Raumschiffahrt (aufgelöst 1934) - Self-scanned, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5557955
1932 CE
Works for German Army Ordnance
Von Braun begins developing liquid-fueled rockets for the German Army, laying groundwork for the V-2. #rocketry #history
Jul 27, 1934 CE
Receives PhD in Physics from University of Berlin
Awarded a doctorate in physics for his thesis on liquid-fuel rocket engines, supervised by Erich Schumann. #science #education
1937 CE
Becomes Technical Director at Peenemünde
Von Braun is appointed technical director of the Peenemünde Army Research Center, leading V-2 development. #rocketry #war
Becomes Technical Director at Peenemünde By British Sortie N/853[2] by Flight Lieutenant R. A. Lenton and Sergeant R. S. Haney[3] took this photograph of Peenemünde, which shows 'a thick vertical column about 40 feet high' southeast of the 'buttresses': Flight Lieutenant Andre' J. A. Kenny's Industrial Section[4] enlarges the photos and initially fails to identify the rocket. Over a year later on August 4, 1944, Dr. R. V. Jones obtained a private set of the June 12, 1943 Peenemünde photos from the Medmenham commander, Group Captain P. G. Stewart, the 'thick vertical columns' were measured again and confirmed as vertical rockets, and Jones identified the rocket image to Duncan Sandys.[4][5][6] - Jones, R. V. (1978) Most Secret War: British Scientific Intelligence 1939-1945, London: Hamish Hamilton, pp. p?, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=268772
Oct 3, 1942 CE
First Successful V-2 Rocket Launch
The V-2 rocket (A-4) achieves a successful flight from Peenemünde, reaching an altitude of 84.5 km. #rocketry #history
First Successful V-2 Rocket Launch By AElfwine - Uploaded as thumbnail on 16:49, 26 Dec 2004 by User:Mschlindwein. Re-uploaded with original size and correct name on 13.06.2005 by User:Avatar., CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=185063551
Sep 8, 1944 CE
V-2 Used for First Time in Combat
Germany launches the first V-2 rocket against Paris and London, marking the first operational ballistic missile. #war #rocketry
May 2, 1945 CE
Surrenders to American Forces
Von Braun and his team surrender to the U.S. Army in Bavaria, avoiding capture by Soviets. #history #ww2
Surrenders to American Forces By NASA/photographer unknown - https://images.nasa.gov/details/KSC-62C-1443 http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/IMAGES/LARGE/GPN-2000-000605.jpg on the Wayback Machine at the Wayback Machine http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2000-000605.html on the Wayback Machine at the Wayback Machine, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6448829
Sep 1, 1945 CE
Arrives in the United States via Operation Paperclip
Von Braun and his Peenemünde team are brought to the U.S. under Operation Paperclip, moving to Fort Bliss, Texas. #history #space
Mar 1, 1947 CE
Marries Maria von Quistorp
Von Braun marries his first cousin Maria von Quistorp in a Lutheran ceremony in Germany. #biography #personal
Apr 1, 1950 CE
Moves to Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama
Von Braun's team relocates to Huntsville to work on ballistic missile development at Redstone Arsenal. #rocketry #history
Moves to Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama By American Diabetio - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=142929554
1952 CE
Publishes 'Project Mars: A Technical Tale'
Writes a science fiction novel about a Mars mission, integrating technical details. #scifi #space
1953 CE
Redstone Rocket Achieves First Flight
The Redstone rocket, developed under von Braun, makes its first successful launch. #rocketry #coldwar )
Redstone Rocket Achieves First Flight By USGov-Military-Army - http://history.redstone.army.mil/redstone/redstone_09.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2872846
1955 CE
Becomes U.S. Citizen
Wernher von Braun officially becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States. #biography #history
Jan 31, 1958 CE
Guides Launch of Explorer 1
Von Braun's team successfully launches Explorer 1, the first U.S. satellite, using a Juno I rocket (based on Redstone). #space #history
Guides Launch of Explorer 1 By NASA - [1], [2], [3], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=404760
Jul 1, 1960 CE
Transferred to NASA and Named Director of Marshall Space Flight Center
Von Braun and his team move to the newly formed NASA, where he becomes director of the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville. #nasa #space
Transferred to NASA and Named Director of Marshall Space Flight Center By NASA - File:NASA logo.svg, https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/brand-guidelines/, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=191482848
Oct 27, 1961 CE
First Saturn I Launch
The first test launch of the Saturn I rocket, a precursor to the Saturn V, takes place. #rocketry #nasa
1962 CE
Presented with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Von Braun receives the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to rocketry. #awards #space
Presented with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal By NASA/GSFC/Bill Hrybyk - NASA Image and Video Library, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=80100012
1963 CE
Proposes Manned Mars Mission in 'The Mars Project'
Advocates for human missions to Mars, publishing detailed plans. #space #mars
1964 CE
First Saturn V Static Test Firing
The first static firing of the Saturn V's S-IC first stage at Marshall Space Flight Center. #rocketry #nasa
First Saturn V Static Test Firing By NASA - http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/IMAGES/LARGE/GPN-2000-000630.jpg on the Wayback Machine at the Wayback Machine http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2000-000630.html on the Wayback Machine at the Wayback Machine, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6448924
Nov 9, 1967 CE
First Saturn V Launch (Apollo 4)
The Saturn V makes its maiden flight, launching the Apollo 4 uncrewed test mission. #space #apollo
First Saturn V Launch (Apollo 4) By NASA - Great Images in NASA Description, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6447621
Dec 21, 1968 CE
Apollo 8 Launch – First Crewed Saturn V
Von Braun's Saturn V launches Apollo 8, carrying the first humans to orbit the Moon. #space #apollo
Apollo 8 Launch – First Crewed Saturn V By NASA/Bill Anders - http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/alsj/a410/AS8-14-2383HR.jpg, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=306267
Jul 16, 1969 CE
Apollo 11 Launch – First Moon Landing
The Saturn V launches Apollo 11, landing the first humans on the Moon. Von Braun celebrates at Mission Control. #space #apollo
Apollo 11 Launch – First Moon Landing By Neil A. Armstrong - https://tothemoon.im-ldi.com/gallery/Apollo/11/7#AS11-40-5903, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=170640780
Apr 11, 1970 CE
Apollo 13 Launch and Abort
Saturn V launches Apollo 13; the mission is aborted due to an oxygen tank explosion but crew returns safely. #space #apollo
Apollo 13 Launch and Abort By NASA - http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/apollo/apollo13/html/s69-60662.html http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/apollo/apollo-13/apollo-13.html, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=969578
Mar 1, 1972 CE
Retires from NASA
Von Braun retires from NASA to pursue private industry, becoming Vice President at Fairchild Industries. #biography #nasa
Dec 7, 1972 CE
Apollo 17 Launch – Final Moon Mission
The last Saturn V launch sends Apollo 17 to the Moon, with von Braun present. #space #apollo
Apollo 17 Launch – Final Moon Mission By Harrison Schmitt / Apollo 17 - https://tothemoon.im-ldi.com/gallery/Apollo/17/6#AS17-134-20378, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=171276403
1973 CE
Receives National Medal of Science
Awarded the National Medal of Science for his contributions to space exploration. #awards #science
Receives National Medal of Science By National Science Foundation - [http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_images.jsp?cntn_id=112173&org=NSF Press Release 08-151 White House Announces 2007 National Medal of Science Laureates] [1], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33295063
1974 CE
Publishes Biography 'I Aim at the Stars'
A semi-autobiographical book co-written with his wife, detailing his life and work. #biography #books
1975 CE
Diagnosed with Cancer
Von Braun is diagnosed with kidney cancer, leading to declining health. #health #biography
Jun 16, 1977 CE
Death of Wernher von Braun
Wernher von Braun dies at age 65 in Alexandria, Virginia, from pancreatic cancer. #history #space
