Wernher Von Braun's Accomplishments

Christa Loucks

Mr. Gluf

Honors Engineering II

21 December 2014

Wernher von Braun Wernher von Braun, one of the most important engineers that once began his career in Germany, played a major role in the outcome of World War II. The astute rocket scientist altered plans by Robert Goddard and invented the powerful V-2 Combat Rocket. He was known the most for rocketry in Germany, and for helping to design the series of booster rockets used for the Saturn V Rocket, at NASA. Throughout his lifetime, he had occupations ranging from being an aerospace engineer and architect, to leading as a rocket scientist. His determination to study aerospace engineering led to his accomplishments and inventions that have influenced the world. The legendary rocket

In the rocket, an alcohol-water fuel is combusted with air, which is then directed through 1,244 nozzles, producing the thrust that is necessary for reaching longer distances. (See Figure 1.2) Regenerative heating maintained a fuel temperature range of 4,500-4900 degrees Fahrenheit, while keeping the combustion chamber consistently cool. Once the V-2 took off, it could propel itself into the air for up to 65 seconds, then a programmed motor controlled when the engine shuts down, (50 miles) and at what angle. As it continued on a free-fall path and made contact with the ground, the warhead exploded by an electric contact fuse. (See Figure 1.3) It was used against other Allied cities such as London, Antwerp and Liege; the rockets were ultimately the reason over 21,000 civilians, military personnel, and concentration prisoners were

Once NASA was established on July 29, 1958, he was transferred there to develop the Saturn V Rocket. After further, successful innovations to the booster rockets, he helped to put man on the moon on July 16, 1969, for an eight day journey aboard the Saturn V. After many years of working with NASA and inventing rockets, he left and became Vice President for Engineering and Development at Fairchild Industries, in Germantown, Maryland, on July 1, 1972. Despite being diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1973, Von Braun continued to speak at colleges and universities about rocketry and to inspire them about aerospace engineering. He also established the National Space Institute and became its first president and chairman in