Wernher von Braun

Wernher von Braun (1912–1977) was a German-born aerospace engineer and rocket pioneer. He became a leading technical figure in Germany’s rocket development during World War II, serving as a key engineer in the V-2 ballistic missile program at Peenemünde. After the war he moved to the United States under Operation Paperclip and worked for the U.S. Army on missile and space-launch projects. Von Braun later joined NASA, where he directed the Marshall Space Flight Center and served as chief architect of the Saturn V launch vehicle. His work was central to the Apollo program’s Moon missions, shaping modern rocketry and space exploration.