| MODERN ROCKET PROPULSION | ||
Wernher von Braun (1912-1977) was one of the most important rocket developers and champions of space exploration. Throughout the 1930s, he worked for the Germans to develop ballistic missiles including the V-2, which was the predecessor to those used in US and Soviet space programs. The liquid-fueled V2 was roughly 46 feet in length, weighed 27,000 pounds, and flew at speeds exceeding 3,500 miles per hour to deliver a 2,200-pound warhead on a target 500 miles away. It was first used in Europe during September 1944. Before the Russian capture of the V-2 rocket complex, von Braun engineered the surrender of hundreds of his top rocket scientists, with plans and test vehicles, to the Americans. |
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