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Wernher Von Braun's Accomplishments

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On July 16, 1969, people from all around the country were glued to their televisions, anticipating the launch of Apollo 11. Many Americans were mesmerized by the rocket as it lifted from the ground and slipped the surly bonds of earth. The launch had been a success. It allowed the United States to dominate the space race and provided a push to explore the final frontier, space. Americans all across the country look roundly at this momentous success. In all the celebration and excitement, the country recognises Wernher von Braun and his team as pioneers. Although many see these scientists as being heroic for their contributions to aeronautics, Wernher von Braun’s contributions to Nazi Germany tarnish his legacy and can not be forgotten. …show more content…

Not only a rocket specialist, von Braun dreamed of space travel. He came at a great time as American conquest “shifted from the great Western frontier to the final frontier of space” (Kilgor). He himself wished to go into a shuttle but by the time it was possible, he as much too old (Neufeld 210). This didn't discourage him though as he still wished to design rocket. He believed technological advancements were a means to an end. This end was the “freeing of humanity from earth's cradle” (Kilgor). With more technological advances, this end had been removed “from the realms of science fiction into that of engineering” (Trento). Wernher himself even dreamed beyond the moon. He wrote a book titled The Mars Project. In this book, he argued that it was technically possible to launch a large scale expedition to our closest neighboring planet, Mars. He claimed that “Man belongs wherever he wants to go” (Meah). This dream of interplanetary travel brought him much attention and to the doorstep of Walt Disney. They together produced a television series called, “Man in Space.” This series made von Braun even more famous and romanticized him more (Kilgor). President Jimmy Carter was quoted after Wernher’s death saying that “not just the people of our nation, but all the people of the world have profited from his work” (Neufeld). This

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