Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении
Приведен краткий научно-исторический очерк о выдающемся немецко-американском конструкторе ракетно-космической техники Вернере фон Брауне, ставшем одним из основоположников мирового ракетостроения. Описаны основные научно-технические достижения Вернера фон Брауна в области современного ракетостроения...
Gespeichert in:
| Veröffentlicht in: | Електротехніка і електромеханіка |
|---|---|
| Datum: | 2019 |
| 1. Verfasser: | |
| Format: | Artikel |
| Sprache: | Russian |
| Veröffentlicht: |
Інститут технічних проблем магнетизму НАН України
2019
|
| Schlagworte: | |
| Online Zugang: | https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/159073 |
| Tags: |
Tag hinzufügen
Keine Tags, Fügen Sie den ersten Tag hinzu!
|
| Назва журналу: | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| Zitieren: | Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении / М.И. Баранов // Електротехніка і електромеханіка. — 2019. — № 4. — С. 3-11. — Бібліогр.: 18 назв. — рос., англ. |
Institution
Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| id |
nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-159073 |
|---|---|
| record_format |
dspace |
| spelling |
Баранов, М.И. 2019-09-22T09:58:29Z 2019-09-22T09:58:29Z 2019 Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении / М.И. Баранов // Електротехніка і електромеханіка. — 2019. — № 4. — С. 3-11. — Бібліогр.: 18 назв. — рос., англ. 2074-272X DOI: https://doi.org/10.20998/2074-272X.2019.4.01 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/159073 629.7:930.1 Приведен краткий научно-исторический очерк о выдающемся немецко-американском конструкторе ракетно-космической техники Вернере фон Брауне, ставшем одним из основоположников мирового ракетостроения. Описаны основные научно-технические достижения Вернера фон Брауна в области современного ракетостроения, перебравшегося по настойчивой инициативе американских спецслужб после разгрома Германии во Второй мировой войне в США (1945 г.) для продолжения работы в области ракетной техники, носящей военно-стратегический характер. Показано, что Вернер фон Браун является основателем космической программы США и руководителем разработок американских космических кораблей «Аполлон». Под его научно-техническим руководством в США были созданы мощные ракетоносители серии «Редстоун» и «Сатурн», благодаря которым на околоземную орбиту был запущен первый искусственный спутник США «Эксплорер-1» (1958 г.), а американский астронавт впервые в истории человечества ступил на поверхность Луны (1969 г.). Приведений короткий науково-історичний нарис про видатного німецько-американського конструктора ракетно-космічної техніки Вернера фон Брауна, що став одним з основоположників світового ракетобудування. Описані основні науково-технічні досягнення Вернера фон Брауна в галузі сучасного ракетобудування, що перебрався за наполегливою ініціативою американських спецслужб після розгрому Німеччини в Другій світовій війні в США (1945 р.) для продовження роботи в області ракетної техніки, що носить військово-стратегічний характер. Показано, що Вернер фон Браун є засновником космічної програми США і керівником розробок американських космічних кораблів «Аполлон». Під його науково-технічним керівництвом в США були створені потужні ракетоносії серії «Редстоун» і «Сатурн», завдяки яким на навколоземну орбіту був запущений перший штучний супутник США «Експлорер-1» (1958 р.), а американський астронавт вперше в історії людства ступив на поверхню Місяця (1969 р.). A short scientifically-historical essay is presented about the distinguished German-American designer of space-rocket technique Wernher von Braun, becoming one of founders of world rocket production. Basic scientific and technical achievements of talented and purposeful scientist Doctor of Physics Wernher von Braun in area of modern rocket production, getting over on persistent initiative of the American special services after the defeat of Germany in World War II in the USA (1945) for continuation of the work in area of missile technology (he was the main designer of the German battle ballistic rocket V-2 of midrange with a liquid rocket engine (LRE), created in 1944), carrying military-strategic character by that time. It is shown that Wernher von Braun is the founder of the space program of the USA and leader of developments of the American pilot-controlled spaceships of series «Apollo» within the framework of the Lunar program of the USA. It is marked that under scientific and technical guidance of Wernher von Braun in the USA powerful launch vehicles were created with LRE of battle series «Redstone» of midrange (1958, military index of PGM-11) and space series «Saturn» (1969), due to which on a circumterrestrial orbit the first artificial satellite of the USA «Explorer-1» launched (31 January, 1958), and the American astronaut Neil Armstrong first in history of humanity stepped on the surface of the Moon (20 July, 1969). ru Інститут технічних проблем магнетизму НАН України Електротехніка і електромеханіка Електротехніка. Визначні події. Славетні імена Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении An anthology of the distinguished achievements in science and technique. Part 50: Rocket-space technology designer Wernher von Braun and his accomplishments in missile design Article published earlier |
| institution |
Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| collection |
DSpace DC |
| title |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| spellingShingle |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении Баранов, М.И. Електротехніка. Визначні події. Славетні імена |
| title_short |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| title_full |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| title_fullStr |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| title_sort |
антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. часть 50: конструктор ракетно-космической техники вернер фон браун и его свершения в ракетостроении |
| author |
Баранов, М.И. |
| author_facet |
Баранов, М.И. |
| topic |
Електротехніка. Визначні події. Славетні імена |
| topic_facet |
Електротехніка. Визначні події. Славетні імена |
| publishDate |
2019 |
| language |
Russian |
| container_title |
Електротехніка і електромеханіка |
| publisher |
Інститут технічних проблем магнетизму НАН України |
| format |
Article |
| title_alt |
An anthology of the distinguished achievements in science and technique. Part 50: Rocket-space technology designer Wernher von Braun and his accomplishments in missile design |
| description |
Приведен краткий научно-исторический очерк о выдающемся немецко-американском конструкторе ракетно-космической техники Вернере фон Брауне, ставшем одним из основоположников мирового ракетостроения. Описаны основные научно-технические достижения Вернера фон Брауна в области современного ракетостроения, перебравшегося по настойчивой инициативе американских спецслужб после разгрома Германии во Второй мировой войне в США (1945 г.) для продолжения работы в области ракетной техники, носящей военно-стратегический характер. Показано, что Вернер фон Браун является основателем космической программы США и руководителем разработок американских космических кораблей «Аполлон». Под его научно-техническим руководством в США были созданы мощные ракетоносители серии «Редстоун» и «Сатурн», благодаря которым на околоземную орбиту был запущен первый искусственный спутник США «Эксплорер-1» (1958 г.), а американский астронавт впервые в истории человечества ступил на поверхность Луны (1969 г.).
Приведений короткий науково-історичний нарис про видатного німецько-американського конструктора ракетно-космічної техніки Вернера фон Брауна, що став одним з основоположників світового ракетобудування. Описані основні науково-технічні досягнення Вернера фон Брауна в галузі сучасного ракетобудування, що перебрався за наполегливою ініціативою американських спецслужб після розгрому Німеччини в Другій світовій війні в США (1945 р.) для продовження роботи в області ракетної техніки, що носить військово-стратегічний характер. Показано, що Вернер фон Браун є засновником космічної програми США і керівником розробок американських космічних кораблів «Аполлон». Під його науково-технічним керівництвом в США були створені потужні ракетоносії серії «Редстоун» і «Сатурн», завдяки яким на навколоземну орбіту був запущений перший штучний супутник США «Експлорер-1» (1958 р.), а американський астронавт вперше в історії людства ступив на поверхню Місяця (1969 р.).
A short scientifically-historical essay is presented about the distinguished German-American designer of space-rocket technique Wernher von Braun, becoming one of founders of world rocket production. Basic scientific and technical achievements of talented and purposeful scientist Doctor of Physics Wernher von Braun in area of modern rocket production, getting over on persistent initiative of the American special services after the defeat of Germany in World War II in the USA (1945) for continuation of the work in area of missile technology (he was the main designer of the German battle ballistic rocket V-2 of midrange with a liquid rocket engine (LRE), created in 1944), carrying military-strategic character by that time. It is shown that Wernher von Braun is the founder of the space program of the USA and leader of developments of the American pilot-controlled spaceships of series «Apollo» within the framework of the Lunar program of the USA. It is marked that under scientific and technical guidance of Wernher von Braun in the USA powerful launch vehicles were created with LRE of battle series «Redstone» of midrange (1958, military index of PGM-11) and space series «Saturn» (1969), due to which on a circumterrestrial orbit the first artificial satellite of the USA «Explorer-1» launched (31 January, 1958), and the American astronaut Neil Armstrong first in history of humanity stepped on the surface of the Moon (20 July, 1969).
|
| issn |
2074-272X |
| url |
https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/159073 |
| citation_txt |
Антология выдающихся достижений в науке и технике. Часть 50: Конструктор ракетно-космической техники Вернер фон Браун и его свершения в ракетостроении / М.И. Баранов // Електротехніка і електромеханіка. — 2019. — № 4. — С. 3-11. — Бібліогр.: 18 назв. — рос., англ. |
| work_keys_str_mv |
AT baranovmi antologiâvydaûŝihsâdostiženiivnaukeitehnikečastʹ50konstruktorraketnokosmičeskoitehnikivernerfonbrauniegosveršeniâvraketostroenii AT baranovmi ananthologyofthedistinguishedachievementsinscienceandtechniquepart50rocketspacetechnologydesignerwernhervonbraunandhisaccomplishmentsinmissiledesign |
| first_indexed |
2025-11-26T00:12:37Z |
| last_indexed |
2025-11-26T00:12:37Z |
| _version_ |
1850596427420401664 |
| fulltext |
Electrical Engineering. Great Events. Famous Names
ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4 3
© M.I. Baranov
UDC 629.7:930.1 doi: 10.20998/2074-272X.2019.4.01
M.I. Baranov
AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE DISTINGUISHED ACHIEVEMENTS IN SCIENCE AND
TECHNIQUE. PART 50: ROCKET-SPACE TECHNOLOGY DESIGNER WERNHER VON
BRAUN AND HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN MISSILE DESIGN
Purpose. Preparation of short scientifically-historical essay about one of founders of world rocket production, distinguished
German-American designer of modern space-rocket technique Wernher von Braun. Methodology. Known scientific methods of
collection, analysis and analytical treatment of scientific and technical information, touching becoming and development in the
world of space-rocket technique and resulted in scientific monographs, journals and internet-reports. Results. A short
scientifically-historical essay is presented about the distinguished German-American designer of space-rocket technique Wernher
von Braun, becoming one of founders of world rocket production. Basic scientific and technical achievements of talented and
purposeful scientist Doctor of Physics Wernher von Braun in area of modern rocket production, getting over on persistent
initiative of the American special services after the defeat of Germany in World War II in the USA (1945) for continuation of the
work in area of missile technology (he was the main designer of the German battle ballistic rocket V-2 of midrange with a liquid
rocket engine (LRE), created in 1944), carrying military-strategic character by that time. It is shown that Wernher von Braun is
the founder of the space program of the USA and leader of developments of the American pilot-controlled spaceships of series
«Apollo» within the framework of the Lunar program of the USA. It is marked that under scientific and technical guidance of
Wernher von Braun in the USA powerful launch vehicles were created with LRE of battle series «Redstone» of midrange (1958,
military index of PGM-11) and space series «Saturn» (1969), due to which on a circumterrestrial orbit the first artificial satellite
of the USA «Explorer-1» launched (31 January, 1958 y.), and the American astronaut Neil Armstrong first in history of
humanity stepped on the surface of the Moon (20 July, 1969). Originality. Certain systematization is executed known from mass
media of scientific and technical materials, touching becoming and development in 20-th century of world rocket production, at
the sources of which the talented scientist Doctor of Physics and distinguished German-American designer of space-rocket
technique Wernher von Braun. Practical value. Scientific popularization and deepening for the students of higher school,
engineer and technical and scientific workers of physical and technical knowledge in area of world history of becoming and
development of modern rocket production, extending their scientific and technical range of interests and further development of
scientific and technical progress in society. References 18, tables 1, figures 10.
Key words: space-rocket technique, distinguished German-American designer of missile technology Wernher von Braun, his
basic achievements in a modern rocket production, scientifically-historical essay.
Приведений короткий науково-історичний нарис про видатного німецько-американського конструктора ракетно-
космічної техніки Вернера фон Брауна, що став одним з основоположників світового ракетобудування. Описані
основні науково-технічні досягнення Вернера фон Брауна в галузі сучасного ракетобудування, що перебрався за
наполегливою ініціативою американських спецслужб після розгрому Німеччини в Другій світовій війні в США (1945
р.) для продовження роботи в області ракетної техніки, що носить військово-стратегічний характер. Показано,
що Вернер фон Браун є засновником космічної програми США і керівником розробок американських космічних
кораблів «Аполлон». Під його науково-технічним керівництвом в США були створені потужні ракетоносії серії
«Редстоун» і «Сатурн», завдяки яким на навколоземну орбіту був запущений перший штучний супутник США
«Експлорер-1» (1958 р.), а американський астронавт вперше в історії людства ступив на поверхню Місяця (1969 р.).
Бібл. 18, табл. 1, рис. 10.
Ключові слова: ракетно-космічна техніка, видатний німецько-американський конструктор ракетної техніки Вернер
фон Браун, його основні досягнення у сучасному ракетобудуванні, науково-історичний нарис.
Приведен краткий научно-исторический очерк о выдающемся немецко-американском конструкторе ракетно-
космической техники Вернере фон Брауне, ставшем одним из основоположников мирового ракетостроения. Описаны
основные научно-технические достижения Вернера фон Брауна в области современного ракетостроения,
перебравшегося по настойчивой инициативе американских спецслужб после разгрома Германии во Второй мировой
войне в США (1945 г.) для продолжения работы в области ракетной техники, носящей военно-стратегический
характер. Показано, что Вернер фон Браун является основателем космической программы США и руководителем
разработок американских космических кораблей «Аполлон». Под его научно-техническим руководством в США были
созданы мощные ракетоносители серии «Редстоун» и «Сатурн», благодаря которым на околоземную орбиту был
запущен первый искусственный спутник США «Эксплорер-1» (1958 г.), а американский астронавт впервые в истории
человечества ступил на поверхность Луны (1969 г.). Библ. 18, табл. 1, рис. 10.
Ключевые слова: ракетно-космическая техника, выдающийся немецко-американский конструктор ракетной техники
Вернер фон Браун, его основные достижения в современном ракетостроении, научно-исторический очерк.
Introduction. World literature is replete with a huge
number of human stories, in the plot of which is human
passion. We know how this feeling can lower a person in
the «eyes» and consciousness of other people and how
can raise him high above the ever-changing «ocean» of
events and human emotions on our planet. Akin to human
passion and the talent of man – the gift of God! Talent
flashing with its «flame» of the knowledge of the world
around us the human soul and pushing the chosen person
to surrender and realize his planned goal by any means.
Here, the direction of the goal (two extreme points of
reference for it – for a good cause and the creation of
weapons of mass destruction of people) and the problem
4 ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4
of morality for such a person can also be moved,
consciously or unconsciously, to the background. By and
large, the true vocation of a person is higher and more
important than the prevailing political conditions and
systems in which such a person has to work and live.
Wernher von Braun (his full name in German is Wernher
Magnus Maximilian Freiherr von Braun), an outstanding
German-American designer of rocket and space
technology, turned out to be one of such talented people,
to which all of the above can be fully attributed. This
scientific and historical essay is devoted to brief
description of the life and career of this internationally
recognized scientist, Doctor of Physics and design
engineer in the field of rocketry (Fig. 1).
The goal of the paper is preparation of a brief
scientific and historical essay on one of the founders of
world rocket production, an outstanding German-
American designer of modern rocket and space
technology Wernher von Braun.
Fig. 1. Distinguished designer of rocket and space technology
Wernher von Braun (23.03.1912-16.06.1977) [1]
1. The beginning of the life and career of
Wernher von Braun. He was born on March 23, 1912 in
the city of Wirsitz (province of Posen, the German
Empire, now it is the city of Wyrzysk, Poland) [1]. His
parents belonged to the ancient aristocratic families.
Therefore, their son Wernher inherited the title
«Freiherr», corresponding to the Baronial title. His father,
Magnus von Braun (1878-1972), held the high post of
Minister of Food and Agriculture in the German
government of the Weimar Republic [1].
His mother, Emmy von Quistorp (1886-1959), who
had royal «roots» along the line of ancestors, which
ascended to Rurik [2], instilled in young Wernher a love
of music and art. In the period of training (1925-1930) in
a boarding school with strict Prussian orders, located near
the city of Weimar, he became interested in the book by
Hermann Oberth «The Rocket into Interplanetary Space»
[2]. This forced him to actively engage in physics and
mathematics, which he needed to independently design
handicraft rockets at that time. In 1930, Wernher von
Braun entered the Berlin Higher Technical School (now
this is known in the world the Berlin Technical
University), where he joined the research group «Space
Travel Society» and together with H. Oberth (1894-1989)
he participated in testing first liquid rocket engines (LRE)
[1]. At this time, he firmly decided to devote his life to
penetration into extraterrestrial space [1, 2]. It is believed
that it was H. Oberth who had a great influence on the
formation of Wernher von Braun as a future rocket maker.
Later, Wernher von Braun wrote about this German
pioneer of rocket science [1]: «... Personally, I see in him
not only the guiding star of my life, but also I owe him my
first contacts with theoretical and practical issues of
rocket engineering and space flights». In 1932, he was
admitted to the military missile scientific group of Walter
Dornberger (then captain of artillery, who became Major
General in 1941), engaged in the development and
creation for the Reichswehr (German military) both solid-
fuel missiles and missiles with LRE. In April 1934,
Wernher von Braun successfully defended at the Friedrich
Wilhelm Berlin University his Doctoral Thesis on the
topic [1] «Design, theoretical and experimental
approaches to the problem of creating a liquid-fuel
rocket» (at one time this Thesis was classified and its
materials were not published until 1960 [2]). For this
scientific work (the supervisor of this Thesis was German
physicist Erich Schumann [1]), he was awarded the
degree of Doctor of Physics (rocket science).
2. The main achievements of Wernher von Braun
in the field of rocket science (German period 1934-
1945). In 1933, the Nazi regime in Germany prohibited
the conduct of civilian experiments in rocket production
in the country and all relevant amateur scientific societies
were eliminated. Rockets were allowed to build only by
the military. For these purposes, in the north of Germany
(on the island Usedom in the Baltic Sea with the village
of Peenemünde) large German rocket center and a test site
were built in 1937, the Military Head of which was W.
Dornberger, and the Technical Director was Wernher von
Braun [1, 2] . Under these conditions, Wernher von Braun
was forced to join the National Socialist Party of
Germany (May 1937). In addition, it is believed that from
May 1940 to May 1945 he was an SS officer (he began
his service from the rank of Untersturmführer –
Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Sturmbannführer –
Lieutenant Colonel) [1, 2]. The specified period of work
and military service of Wernher von Braun in Germany is
a «black spot» in his biography (this information was
subsequently hidden for a long time by the secret services
from the American public). Despite this SS trail in the life
of the essay's main person, Wernher von Braun and his
team managed to create an A-4 (V-2) combat rocket
launcher by the fall of 1944, capable of hitting cities in
the UK and other countries of Europe from a long
distance. The first combat missile V-2 (Fig. 2) was
launched to London on September 7, 1944 (21 months
after the official adoption «at the top» of this German
project «The Weapon of Retribution») [1, 2]. Note that
the first launches of prototypes of the V-2 rocket from the
Peenemünde test site began in October 1942 [3]. The cost
of one such rocket, despite the use of free labor by
prisoners in its production, amounted to 300 thousand
Reichsmarks [3]. Table 1 shows the main tactical and
technical characteristics of the V-2 rocket [3, 4].
ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4 5
Fig. 2. General view of the single-stage combat missile V-2 with
LRE during its preparation on the launch pad for launch (photo
of 1944; Peenemünde test site) [3]
Table 1
The main tactical and technical characteristics of a combat
German single-stage ballistic missile with LRE V-2 [3, 4]
No. Characteristic Value
1 Total length, m 13,9
2 Diameter, м 1,6
3 Weight of the warhead, kg 1000
4 Maximum thrust of the LRE:
- near the surface of the Earth, t 26
- at flight altitude, t 30
5 Starting weight, t 13
6 Maximum range in near-earth space, km 300
7 Type of liquid fuel for LRE 80 % ethanol
8 Mass of liquid fuel, kg 3600
9
Mass of oxidizer (liquid oxygen) for
LRE, kg
5000
10
Maximum flight speed in near-earth
space, m/s
1500
11 LRE operating time, s 65
12 Maximum flight height above Earth, km 95
13 Speed when meeting with hit target, m/s 800
From the data of Table 1 it can be seen that the V-2
rocket, when flying in near-Earth space, could move at
speed of about 5,400 km/h, which significantly exceeded
the speed of sound in air, which at normal atmospheric
conditions is about 1,194 km/ h (331.8 m/s ) [5]. The V-2
missiles were made by foreign workers, prisoners of war
and prisoners of concentration camps at the huge
underground factory Mittelwerk near the city of
Nordhausen in German Thuringia [3]. The design
capacity of this plant was up to 30 rockets per day. In
1944, the power of this military plant was brought to
release 600 rockets per month [3]. German specialists
involved in the V-2 missile solved an important and
fundamental task: ensuring its launch from the vertical
position on the launch pad [3, 4].
Why is this combat single-stage ballistic missile
called the V-2? It is believed that this name comes from
the first letter of the German word «Vergelfungswaffee»,
meaning «Weapon of Retribution» [2]. By the way, the
German competitors of Wernher von Braun, engaged in
the development and creation of only ballistic missiles in
Germany, from the air force set up an industrial
production of combat projectiles (cruise missiles), which
they called V-1 a little earlier [2, 6]. Note that on June 13,
1944, London was subjected to the first bombardment of
V-1 cruise missiles. However, the effect of the combat
use of German V-1 missiles with ground targets was
extremely weak [2, 3]: such missiles flew at subsonic
speeds and could be relatively easily hit by anti-aircraft
forces; their accuracy in hitting the target was low; the
autonomous mechanism for controlling their flight was
poorly protected from external electromagnetic
interference (in this connection, due to the directional
impact of the English radars on them, they fell off the
flight path and often fell into the sea). The V-2 ballistic
missiles have no these disadvantages (project scientific
manager for its development was Wernher von Braun;
military and administrative Head of this project was
Wehrmacht Lieutenant General W. Dornberger),
including a «mechanical» computer, a turbopump unit,
gyros, electromechanical controls of the flight of a rocket,
a cooled combustion chamber of liquid fuel in the LRE,
and many other devices characteristic of a modern
powerful rocket with LRE [7]. Ballistic missiles V-2,
made in a total quantity of up to 4300 pcs. (for the period
September 1944 – March 1945), inflicted on the British
city of London (from the occupied territory of the north of
France the said German rocket reached it in just about 6
minutes) and the Dutch city of Antwerp enormous
material damage and irreparable human damage (13029
people became their victims) [2, 3]. It should be noted
that because of the relatively quick, primarily due to the
offensive actions of the USSR and its main allies (USA
and Great Britain), approaching the end of the Second
World War in Europe and the collapse of Nazi Germany
that followed in May 1945, the German strategic project
(the Head of works was W. von Braun), associated with
the development and creation of an intercontinental two-
stage ballistic missile A-9/10 with a range of 5000 km,
was unrealized [2, 4].
According to the authoritative opinion of the
prominent Soviet specialist in the field of rocket engine
technology (the General Designer of the RD-253 type
LRE widely known all over the world [6]), twice Hero of
Labor, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the
USSR V.P. Glushko [2]: «... The creation of the V-2
6 ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4
rocket was a great technical achievement in the field of
rocket production».
According to archival data, a prototype of the V-2
rocket launched from the German Peenemünde rocket test
site on October 3, 1942 exceeded the speed of sound in
the air for the first time in the history of rocketry [7]. It is
known that space begins from a height of 70 km above
the surface of the Earth [6, 7]. In this regard, it can be
argued that the V-2 rocket is the first apparatus of
terrestrial origin that has fallen into outer space. The
reason for this is that the prototype of the V-2 rocket
launched with instruments on February 17, 1943 reached
a height above the Earth of 190 km [7]. By the way,
Wernher von Braun launched to the same height later in
the USA with the help of his new Redstone ballistic
missile also the first two American astronauts –
A. Shepard (May 5, 1961, 185 km) and V. Grissom (July
21 1961, 190 km) [7].
It is also necessary to point out that military rocket
technology in the former USSR and the USA began with
the V-2 ballistic missiles, the technical documentation for
which, and the very prototypes of which were promptly
obtained by the intelligence services of these countries,
were carefully studied and used in the respective design
offices [4, 7]. Note that the first Soviet ballistic missile
P-1 was an exact replica of the German V-2 missile, only
manufactured at our factories according to domestic
drawings and of domestic materials [4, 7].
Was the relatively young 32-year-old and
undoubtedly talented Wernher von Braun the «father» of
the V-2 ballistic missile in 1944 (the year when the
combat model of the V-2 missile was created)? According
to the memoirs of the military and administrative Head of
work on the creation of this German rocket W.
Dornberger [8]: «... The V-2 was directly developed by the
design bureau led by Walter Riedel. Successes in
designing the engine for this rocket were mainly due to
the works of Walter Thiel. Although von Braun and Riedel
also contributed many ideas to the design of the engine.
Riedel, with his calm nature, deep thinking and extensive
knowledge, was a good counterbalance to the overly
temperamental von Braun. Von Braun’s main concern
was the elimination of the difficulties encountered in the
work. Von Braun’s talent as a leader was not without
flaws. His undoubted leadership qualities were not
always accomplished. However, Wernher von Braun’s
personal contribution to all areas of the development of
the V-2 rocket was decisive, guiding, and truly
invaluable». Summarizing the scientific and technical
history of the creation of the V-2 rocket, the former
German Wehrmacht Lieutenant General Walter
Dornberger (Head of the German Peenemünde test site) in
his memoirs came to the deeply thoughtful conclusion
that its creation cannot be associated with one person [8]:
«... Days of lonely creative geniuses are over. Such
achievements can only be the fruit of the work of a team
of unknown researchers and experts who can work side
by side without self-indulgence».
On May 2, 1945, in the Bavarian Alps (southern
Germany), Wernher von Braun, along with the V-2
rocket documentation and most of the specialists (first
out of 115, and later out of 650 people) from the
German rocket group, surrendered to the troops of the
advancing American the army (specifically the militants
of the 44th US Infantry Division), whose intelligence
services already had instructions for a targeted «hunt»
for them [3, 7]. In the course of secretly planned US
operations, codenamed «Paperclip», they were all taken
out of defeated Germany to America and were placed first
in Fort Bliss, Texas, which became a major base of the
US Army [3]. The US Department of State, through the
Joint Intelligence Objectives Agency, developed fictitious
biographies for all 765 German experts in rocket
technology and removed information about their
connection with the Nazi regime in Germany [1, 2]. In
this way, the American government provided the
German rocket scientists, who had become «state
scientists», with the necessary security guarantees for
their work in the United States. To this we should add
the fact that in 1945, 350 railway cars with valuable
technical equipment and nodes for V-2 missiles were
delivered by sea to the USA [9].
3. The main achievements of Wernher von Braun
in the field of rocket science (the American period
1945-1975). According to the available historical
materials typical for Wernher von Braun was that if he set
himself a goal, he always achieved it [9]. Largely due to
his will and purposefulness, and not only to his talent, he,
as a born scientific leader and design engineer, has
reached unattainable for many super-high scientific and
technical «peaks» in the field of rocket production. Once,
on the slope of his long years, an outstanding Soviet
aircraft designer, Colonel-General-Engineer, three times
Hero of Labor, Academician of the Academy of Sciences
of the USSR S.V. Ilyushin [10], personally and well
acquainted with many outstanding designers of the USSR
in the field of aviation and rocket technology, in an
interview with students-graduates of the N.E. Zhukovsky
Air Force Academy about the main personal qualities of
the Chief Designer said that for such a person [7]: «... The
main quality is the great, all-consuming desire to become
the Chief and not stop at nothing on the way to his goal».
The author thinks that in relation to the outstanding
designer of rocket and space technology, Wernher von
Braun, our patriarch of aircraft construction, as we say,
got into the bull's eye. It is this personal quality that was
central and characteristic of the leader we are considering
in the field of world rocket production.
From September 1945, Wernher von Braun headed
the US Army Design and Development Service at the
designated Fort Bliss, located near the White Sands
Proving Ground, New Mexico [1]. It was from this
military test side that Wernher von Braun launched his
ballistic missiles. Apparently, these places should be
considered the «cradle» of American rocket production.
From 1950, together with his German fellow rocket
ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4 7
engineers (Fig. 3), he began working at the Redstone
Arsenal (Huntsville, Alabama) [3].
Paying tribute shown in Fig. 3 rocket engineers, we
indicate their positions in the Redstone Arsenal of the
United States [3]: E. Stuhlinger – Director of the Office of
Scientific Research; H. Hoelzer – Director of the
Computing Center; K. Heimburg – Director of the Testing
Laboratory; E. Geissler – Director of the Aeroballistic
Laboratory; E. Neubert – Director of the Laboratory of
Reliability and Systems Analysis; W. Haeussermarn –
Director of the laboratory of Guidance and Control;
Wernher von Braun – Chief Designer and Director of
Development Division; W. Mrazek – Director of the
Laboratory of Design and Mechanics; H. Hueter –
Director of the Laboratory of Ground Systems; E. Rees –
Deputy Director of the Development Division; K. Debus
– Director of the Missile Launch Laboratory; H. Maus –
Director of the Laboratory for the Production and
Assembly of Missiles.
Fig. 3. Twelve main German rocket engineers, who replaced the
Peenemünde Rocket Center (Germany) with the Redstone
Arsenal of the USA (rare NASA photo; from left to right:
Ernst Stuhlinger; Helmut Hoelzer; Karl L. Heimburg; Ernst
Geissler; Erich W. Neubert; Walter Haeussermarn; Wernher von
Braun; William A. Mrazek; Hans Hueter; Eberhard Rees; Kurt
Debus; Hans H. Maus; 1959, Redstone Arsenal, USA) [3]
Already, only by the names of the services headed
by these rocket men can one indirectly judge the
complexity of the scientific and technical tasks facing
these developers of US military ballistic missiles, who
soon became the first German-American explorers of
near-Earth space. In 1951, by the German rocket men
shown in Fig. 3, the first American Viking ballistic
missile was created, which developed a speed of up to 1.8
km/s (6480 km/h) [6]. Of course, this speed was
significantly lower than the first cosmic speed, which is
about 7.9 km/s (28440 km/h) [5]. In 1952, under the
leadership of Wernher von Braun, a Redstone combat
ballistic missile (PGM-11 military index) was created in
the United States (Fig. 4) [11], which was used by the
US Army in the period 1958-1964 and used at the
launch on January 31, 1958 of the first American
artificial satellite of the Earth «Explorer 1» (weight –14
kg) [6, 12, 13]. The US launch of this artificial satellite
was the American response for the USSR, which
launched on October 4, 1957 with the help of an
intercontinental ballistic missile P-7 the world's first
artificial satellite of 83.6 kg weight [6, 7].
We point out that Redstone combat ballistic missiles
(PGM-11) with a thermonuclear warhead W-39 aboard
with a power of 4 Mt of TNT were deployed in West
Germany [11]. The range of these medium-range missiles
was up to 350 km, and their accuracy at hitting the target
was up to 300 m (at that time, this accuracy was
impressive) [11].
The launch of the first US cigar-shaped artificial
satellite Explorer-1 (Fig. 5), which had 8.3 kg of scientific
instruments on board, marked the beginning of space flights
in the United States, as well as scientific research of space
by scientists (for example, the study of the atmosphere,
ionosphere and magnetosphere of Earth, energy particles,
meteorites and monitoring of solar radiation) [13]. By the
way, with the help of the «Explorer 1» artificial satellite
which flew around the Earth in 114 minutes on an
elliptical orbit at altitudes of 362 – 2565 km, the Van
Allen radiation belt was first discovered [14].
Fig. 4. The start of the Redstone medium-range ballistic missile
(length – 21.1 m; diameter – 1.78 m) with a detachable warhead
created in the USA under the scientific and technical guidance
of Wernher von Braun [11]
Fig. 5. External view of the first American artificial satellites
Explorer-1 (1958, gross weight – 14 kg, USA) [14]
Note that since 1955, Wernher von Braun is a US
citizen, the mention of whose name in the press was
prohibited by special services [3]. In 1960, the rocket
8 ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4
men, led by Dr. Wernher von Braun, were transferred to
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) of the United States [15]. So the rocket genius
(German Baron by birth), who has now officially become
the American designer of rocket and space technology,
began to serve NASA, a prestigious US government
agency, with full scientific and engineering efficiency.
During this period, NASA created the Marshall Space
Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama, as the first Director
of which Wernher von Braun was appointed [15]. Now,
under his leadership, about 2 thousand people worked,
and the leaders of all 30 Departments of this US Space
Center were his German colleagues, who, like him in
1955, received American citizenship. At this time, another
Soviet call came in the US in the space race: in the USSR
on April 12, 1961, into a near-earth orbit using a three-
stage ballistic missile P-7 and the Vostok-1 spacecraft
(their chief designer was an outstanding Soviet designer
of rocket and space technology, twice Hero of Labor,
Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR
S.P. Korolev), the first Soviet cosmonaut (astronaut in
«American») in the history of mankind Yu.A. Gagarin
was launched [6, 7]. After the shock from such a course
of international events in the field of space exploration in
the United States (and throughout the world), Wernher
von Braun suggested to the US leadership to carry out
several suborbital space flights for the US astronauts with
the help of the Redstone launch vehicle. These flights
under the direction of Wernher von Braun were
performed on May 5, 1961 (A. Shepard traveled in space
at an altitude of 185 km) and on July 21, 1961 (V.
Grissom traveled in space at an altitude of 190 km) [7].
But this was not enough for ambitious America. In the
conquest of space by mankind by such the richest country
on our planet as the USA, it was necessary to surprise the
world with some kind of a grand event. And such a
planned event was found, discussed by experts and voiced
in the keynote speech of US President John F. Kennedy
[1]: «... For the prestige of the nation, it is necessary to
ensure the landing of the American astronaut on the
Moon until 1970». For the practical implementation of
this great goal, the US Lunar Program was prepared,
Wernher von Braun was appointed the Head of which [1].
Huge financial resources were allocated for the
implementation of the US Lunar program by the US
government in the 1960s – about USD 20 billion USA
(for comparison, we point out that for the creation in US
of the first plutonium and uranium atomic bombs in the
United States under the secret Manhattan Project about
USD 2 billion budget allocations were allocated [16, 17])
[15]. In order for the United States to fulfill this national
space program, a new powerful launch vehicle was needd,
called Saturn-V Wernher von Braun was appointed the
chief designer of this launch vehicle intended for manned
flights to the Moon with the help of Apollo spacecrafts.
US President John F. Kennedy (Fig. 6) paid close
attention to the development work carried out by NASA
in the framework of the Lunar Program [8, 18].
Fig. 6. US President John F. Kennedy (center),
Chief Designer of the American Saturn-V launcher Wernher von
Braun (left) and US Vice President
Lyndon Johnson (right) in the assembly and test building with a
prototype of this launch vehicle (1962, the spaceport at Cape
Canaveral, Florida, USA) [8]
Everything in our world is relative. So, the German
rocket V-2 with the LRE height in a 6-storey house (chief
designer - Wernher von Braun; year of creation – 1944)
was able to «throw» at a speed of about 5,4 thousand
km/h (1.5 km/s) in the Earth's atmosphere 1 ton of
payload for a distance of about 300 km (see Table 1).
Created in the USA the Saturn-V launch vehicle with
LRE of height of 33-storey building (chief designer -
Wernher von Braun; year of creation 1969) was able to
deliver 50 tons of payload at a speed of about 40,4
thousand km/h (11.2 km/s, corresponding to the second
space speed [5]) in space at a distance of about 384
thousand km, equal to the average distance of the Moon
from the planet Earth [8]. It is clear that in 25 years (for
the period 1944-1969) of active scientific and technical
work in the field of rocket technology, Wernher von
Braun achieved incredible results: to ensure the increase
in the velocity of movement of a multi-ton rocket more
than 7 times (from 1.5 to 11.2 km/s); increase the mass of
payload delivered by a rocket by 50 times (from 1 to 50
tons); to increase the range of delivery of a payload by a
rocket by 1,280 times (from 0.3 to 384 thousand km). Just
a gigantic evolution of integral indicators in the field of
modern rocket and space technology!
Now it becomes clear the answer to the question of
why the United States ahead of the USSR in landing on
the surface of the Moon a representative (resident) of our
planet. They were ahead due to the superiority in the
operational creation by the American specialists of a
powerful launch vehicle. The organizational and scientific
and technical talent of designer Wernher von Braun in
this advance is paramount. As a result, on July 20, 1969,
the American Apollo-11 spacecraft with three astronauts
on board (Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz
Aldrin), driven by the energy of the Saturn-V launch
vehicle in outer space, carried out with the help of a
descending lunar module Eagle with two astronauts on
board (N. Armstrong and B. Aldrin) landing on the lunar
surface [6, 15]. In Fig. 7 the moment of N. Armstrong
walking on the Noon is captured [9].
ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4 9
Fig. 7. Historical moment: for the first time in the history of
mankind, the American astronaut Neil Armstrong was on the
lunar surface (a photo of July 20, 1969, Moon)
It is interesting for the reader to quote the
remarkable, inspired and truly pathetic words of the
American astronaut Neil Armstrong (August 5, 1930 –
August 25, 2012), the first earthman to enter the lunar
soil, after his walk for 2 hours 41 minutes in a spacesuit
on the surface of the Moon [6]: «... It was a small human
step. But it was a great leap for humanity».
For this flight of the American Apollo-11 spacecraft,
Wernher von Braun in 1969 was awarded the NASA
medal «For Distinguished Service» [1]. From January
1970, he becomes the NASA Deputy Assistant
Administrator for planning. Wernher von Braun reached
the top of his career in 1972 (Fig. 8) when he became the
NASA Deputy Director and at the same time the Head of
the US space center at Cape Canaveral, Florida [2].
However, in the same 1972, in the conditions of the
economic crisis, he was offered to cancel expensive
flights to the Moon with the aim of studying it and to
engage in more economically advantageous launches of
reconnaissance and scientific-technical satellites of the
Earth [2, 9].
Fig. 8. The finest hour of the twentieth-century rocket and space
technology designer Wernher von Braun during the leadership
of the spaceport at Cape Canaveral, on the launch pad of which,
at the time of the photo, its launch vehicle Saturn-V was
preparing to launch.(1972, USA) [2]
The «father» of the US space program apparently
did not agree with such a commercial statement of the
issue in the field of space exploration and was soon
dismissed by the NASA leadership [2]. He did not remain
without work: representatives of the American business,
who knew his business skills well, immediately offered
him the position of Vice-President of Fairchild Space
Industries, Germantown, Maryland engaged in the
production of aerospace equipment [15]. Then the
«black» life strip came: he was diagnosed with a serious
illness - pancreatic cancer. Virtually the entire 1973 went
to Wernher von Braun for surgery and intensive treatment
of this disease. In 1974, despite the weakened health, he
continued to work on the project of a new satellite, and
gave all his free time to flying on his own glider [2].
In Fig. 9 space dreamer and a true fan of space
exploration Wernher von Braun is depicted against the
backdrop of the impressive design of the Saturn-V heavy
American launch vehicle, for the development and
creation of which he, as its chief designer, gave so much
strength and health.
Fig. 9. Outstanding designer of rocket and space technology
Wernher von Braun near with his main space «brainchild» in the
United States – the museum exhibit of the powerful launch
vehicle Saturn-V (in the foreground – nozzles of combustion
chambers of LRE fuel of its first stage) [1]
4. Awards and honors of Wernher von Braun. He
didn’t have many of them, he had only the awards and
badges of the Federal Republic of Germany and the
United States [1]:
The Grand Cross of the Order of Merit for the
Federal Republic of Germany (1951);
Order «For Services to the Federal Republic of
Germany» (1951);
NASA Medal «For Distinguished Service» (1969);
10 ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4
Elliott Cresson Medal (1962);
Langley Gold Medal (1967);
Wilhelm Exner Medal (1969);
National Science Medal of the United States (1975);
Werner von Siemens Ring (1975).
On June 16, 1977, after a long struggle with serious
illness, Wernher von Braun died. He was buried with
honors at the Ivy Hill Cemetery, Fig. 10 in Alexandria,
Virginia, USA [1]. On the NASA website, this great
rocket technology designer is given the following
characteristic [15]: «... Without any doubt, Wernher von
Braun was the greatest scientist in the field of rocket
physics in history».
Fig. 10. A modest gravestone on the grave of Wernher von
Braun, an outstanding designer of the 20th century in the field of
rocket and space technology (1977, Ivy Hill Cemetery,
Alexandria, Virginia, USA) [1]
In 1977, US President Jimmy Carter responded on
the death of Wernher von Braun as follows [8]: «... For
millions of Americans, the name of Wernher von Braun
was inextricably linked with the exploration of space by
the American nation and the creative use of technology.
He was not only a skilled engineer, but also a man with a
bold vision. His inspirational leadership style helped us to
mobilize and preserve the efforts that made us reach the
Moon and move on. Not only the representatives of our
nation, but also the people of the whole Earth, benefited
from the fruits of his work. His legacy will continue to
benefit us».
The famous American science fiction writer Arthur
Clark wrote about the hero of our essay [8]: «... There are
only a few people in the entire history of our civilization
who have left behind such a set of achievements as
Wernher von Braun, or who could themselves see such a
complete triumph of their ideas and the realization of
their dreams. His example will inspire future generations
of people. The fact that I happened to call him my friend, I
consider one of the greatest successes in my life».
The current generations of earthlings will remember
Wernher von Braun as a great man who helped people
pave the «road» into space and get them to often seen by
us on the night sky the satellite of our planet Earth – the
Moon. They will remember him as a person who has
managed in his life, in spite of everything, to realize not
only his own, but also the dream of all mankind – to
penetrate into other worlds of the Universe. He managed
to bring a bright «flame» from the torch of his scientific
and technical knowledge to the consciousness of all
earthlings.
Conclusions. Wernher von Braun, a talented
scientist and Doctor of Physics, as a German designer
of rocket technology (chief designer of a single-stage
ballistic V-2 missile with LRE created in Germany in
1944) and as an American (from 1955) designer of
rocket-space technology (chief designer of the three-
stage, high-power Saturn-5 launch vehicle with LRE,
created in the USA in 1969, and the US manned space
spacecraft Apollo), which provided for the first time in
the history of mankind the landing of the planet Earth’s
resident Neil Armstrong on the ground of the Moon,
became one of the founders of modern world rocketry.
The outstanding results of his fruitful work on
American soil became the worldwide scientific and
technical foundation for the further conquest and study
of the near and far space of our Universe by other
scientists and designers of rocket and space
technology.
REFERENCES
1. Available at: https
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wernher_von_Braun (accessed 16
May 2018).
2. Available at:
http://historius.narod.ru/spravka/braun/index.htm (accessed 22
February 2018). (Rus).
3. Available at: http://osiktakan.ru/1-isz3_1.html (accessed 10
March 2018). (Rus).
4. Chertok B.E. Rakety i liudi. V 4-kh tomakh. Tom 1 [Rockets
and people. In 4-th volumes. Vol. 1]. Moscow, Mashinostroenie
Publ., 1999. 416 p. (Rus).
5. Kuhling H. Spravochnik po fizike. Per. s nem. [Dictonary on
Physics. Translated from German]. Moscow, Mir Publ., 1982.
520 p. (Rus).
6. Baranov M.I. Antologiia vydaiushchikhsia dostizhenii v
nauke i tekhnike: Monografiia v 2-kh tomakh. Tom 2. [An
anthology of outstanding achievements in science and
technology: Monographs in 2 vols. Vol.2]. Kharkov, NTMT
Publ., 2013. 333 p. (Rus).
7. Available at:
https://zn.ua/SOCIETY/samaya_bolshaya_tayna_sovetskoy_rak
etnoy_tehniki.html (accessed 21 April 2018). (Rus).
8. Available at: https://www.golos-ameriki.ru/a/von-braun-
annivesary-2012-03-24-144087166/666031.html (accessed 06
March 2018). (Rus).
9. Available at:
https://www.dw.com/ru/вернер_фон_браун_от_фау-
2_до_полетов_на_луну/a-4752846 (accessed 11 May 2018).
(Rus).
10. Available at:
http://www.ilyushin.org/about/history/biography (accessed 28
January 2018). (Rus).
11. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PGM-
11_Redstone (accessed 15 February 2018).
12. Available at: https://history.wikireading.ru/80560 (accessed
14 March 2018). (Rus).
ISSN 2074-272X. Electrical Engineering & Electromechanics. 2019. no.4 11
13. Available at:
https://www.gazeta.ru/science/2018/01/31_a_11631439.shtml
(accessed 02 May 2019). (Rus).
14. Available at: https://ecoruspace.me/Эксплорер-1.html
(accessed 28 September 2018). (Rus).
15. Available at: https://topwar.ru/11774-verner-fon-braun-
raketnyy-baron-na-sluzhbe-nasa.html (accessed 11 August
2018). (Rus).
16. Baranov M.I. An anthology of outstanding achievements in
science and technology. Part 7: Nuclear and thermonuclear
weapon creation. Electrical engineering & electromechanics,
2012, no.2, pp. 3-15. (Rus). doi: 10.20998/2074-
272X.2012.2.01.
17. Baranov M.I. An anthology of the distinguished
achievements in science and technique. Part 40: The scientific
opening of the method of explosive implosion for the obtaining
above critical mass of nuclear charge and Ukrainian «track» in
the «Manhattan» American atomic project. Electrical
engineering & electromechanics, 2017, no.5, pp. 3-13. doi:
10.20998/2074-272X.2017.5.01.
18. Pishkevich D. Verner fon Braun. Chelovek, kotoryi prodal
Lunu [Vernher von Braun. Man which sold the Moon]. Moscow,
Popurri Publ., 2011. 360 p. (Rus).
Received 08.04.2019
M.I. Baranov, Doctor of Technical Science, Professor,
Scientific-&-Research Planning-&-Design Institute «Molniya»,
National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute»,
47, Shevchenko Str., Kharkiv, 61013, Ukraine,
phone +380 57 7076841,
e-mail: baranovmi@kpi.kharkov.ua
How to cite this article:
Baranov M.I. An anthology of the distinguished achievements in science and technique. Part 50: Rocket-space
technology designer Wernher von Braun and his accomplishments in missile design. Electrical engineering &
electromechanics, 2019, no.4, pp. 3-11. doi: 10.20998/2074-272X.2019.4.01.
|