Dr. Von Braun and his family relocated from Huntsville to Washington in 1970 after he was assigned duties as NASA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning at NASA Headquarters. Prior to their departure, Huntsville hosted a series of special events in honor of the Von Brauns. The family is shown here on the steps of the Madison County Courthouse. <br /><br />
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Wernher von Braun Quotes<br /> <br />Wernher Von Braun: "Don't tell me that man doesn't belong out there. Man belongs wherever he wants to go - and he'll do plenty well when he gets there."<br /> <br />Wernher Von Braun: "For my confirmation, I didn't get a watch and my first pair of long pants, like most Lutheran boys. I got a telescope. My mother thought it would make the best gift." <br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "I have learned to use the word "impossible" with the greatest caution." <br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "It will free man from the remaining chains, the chains of gravity which still tie him to this planet."<br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "Man is the best computer we can put aboard a spacecraft... and the only one that can be mass-produced with unskilled labor." <br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "Our sun is one of 100 billion stars in our galaxy. Our galaxy is one of billions of galaxies populating the universe. It would be the height of presumption to think that we are the only living things in that enormous immensity."<br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing."<br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "There is just one thing I can promise you about the outer-space program - your tax-dollar will go further."<br /><br />Wernher Von Braun: "We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming."<br /><br />
Wernher von Braun Space Science Center In Brazil<br /><br />http://www.vonbraunlabs.com.br<br /><br />http://www.vonbraunlabs.com.br/vonbraunusa.htm<br /><br />
One day in 1925, von Braun saw an ad in an astronomy magazine about a book called "The Rocket to the Interplanetary Spaces," by Professor Hermann Oberth. He ordered the book at once and, when it arrived, opened it breathlessly. To his consternation, he couldn't understand a word—its pages were a baffling conglomeration of mathematical symbols and formulae. Rushing to his teacher, he cried, "How can I understand what this man is saying?" To von Braun's dismay, his teacher told him to study mathematics and physics, but with the glamorous prospect of a life devoted to space travel, these subjects took on a new meaning. Von Braun was determined to master them and he began to bury himself in their mysteries and, after a few years, he succeeded in graduating a year ahead of his class. <br /><br />After graduating from school, von Braun became a student at the Berlin Institute of Technology and worked in his spare time as an assistant for Professor Oberth at the German Society for Space Travel. Oberth was trying to prove that liquid fuels, instead of solids, offered the best approach to powering rockets for space vehicles. Oberth's other two assistants were Klaus Riedel and Rudolf Nebel. Their equipment was crude and the ignition system was perilous. Riedel would toss a flaming gasoline-soaked rag over the gas-spitting motor and duck for cover before Oberth opened the fuel valves, and then the motor would start with a roar!<br /><br />Oberth and his assistants were allowed to conduct experiments as guests on the proving grounds of the Chemical and Technical Institute, the German equivalent of the U.S. Bureau of Standards. In August 1930, Oberth's little rocket engine succeeded in producing a thrust of seven kilograms for 90 seconds, burning gasoline and liquid oxygen. An official of the Institute certified the demonstration and the liquid-fueled rocket motor was thus recognized for the first time in Germany as a respectable member of the family of internal-combustion engines.
Hermann Oberth, the son of a doctor, was born in Nagyszeben on 25th June, 1894. Oberth studied medicine in Munich but had to leave university when he was recruited into the Austro-Hungarian Army during the First World War.<br /><br />After the war he studied astronautics at the University of Heidelberg where he designed a long-range, liquid-propellant rocket. His Ph.D. dissertation on rocket design was rejected by the university in 1922. He therefore published his research as a book The Rocket into Interplanetary Space (1925). <br /><br />In The Rocket into Interplanetary Space Oberth argued that it was mathematically possible for a rocket to achieve such high speeds that it would be able to escape the Earth's gravitational pull. Oberth's book was read by Wernher von Braun and encouraged him to carry out research into this field.<br /><br />In 1929 Oberth published Ways to Spaceflight. Working at the University of Vienna he continued to carry out experiments and launched his first rocket near Berlin on 7th May, 1931.<br /><br />In 1941 Oberth was recruited by Walter Dornberger and Wernher von Braun to work at the rocket research station at Peenemunde. Together they develop the long-range ballistic missile, the V2 Rocket. This 45 feet long, liquid-fuelled rocket carried a one ton warhead, and was capable of supersonic speed and could fly at an altitude of over 50 miles. As a result it could not be effectively stopped once launched.<br /><br />During the Second World War Oberth left the V2 Rocket project and concentrated on developing solid-propellant anti-aircraft rockets. At the end of the war Oberth escaped to Switzerland. <br /><br />In 1950 Oberth worked on antiaircraft rockets for the Italian Navy before moving to the United States in 1955. Hermann Oberth died in Nurnberg, West Germany, on 29th December, 1989. <br /><br />
When Worlds Collide - Nice View Of Wernher von Braun Dream For An Assisted Launch System (ALS/RLV/SSTO) In 1952.<br /><br />This effort today is alive in the International Space Plane (ISP) Program, and effort to truly realize Wernher von Braun vision and hopes in this regards:<br /><br />http://www.international-spaceplane-program.org
Assisted Space Launch Thread On Space.Com<br /><br />http://uplink.space.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=missions&Number=206964&page=3&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=
Wernher von Braun Proposed An Earth Space Organization to allow Humanity to make a Transition to a Fully Space Faring Society!<br /><br />Today that Vision, Dream, and Hope is Alive & Well in the Historic & Important Present Day Efforts the International Space Agency (ISA), which was Founded in 1986, and Incorporated in 1990. The International Space Agency (ISA) Formally Opened its Diplomatic Offices and Administrative Operations in Washington, DC in February of 2005. This taking the ISA Organization closer to its Founding Purposes and Present Goals & Efforts.<br /><br />http://www.international-space-agency.net/color_flyer_2005.html<br /><br />http://www.international-space-agency.net/wash_dc_letter_feb_2005<br /><br />http://www.international-space-agency.org
Have you ever seen the launch platforms on aircraft carriers that catapult the jet?<br /><br />There needs to be a spacecraft version.
grooble: "Have you ever seen the launch platforms on aircraft carriers that catapult the jet? There needs to be a spacecraft version."<br /><br />grooble,<br /><br />Firstly, YES!, i have seen the launch platforms on aircraft carriers that catapult the jets! As i was in U.S. NAVAL Aviation, and was able to be up close and personal with this technology, and operations.<br /><br />Secondly, your comment that there needs to be a spacecraft version, needs to be a little more specific!<br /><br />Do you mean, as actually in Orbit or in Space that a Larger Mother Ship would launch Smaller Ships in this manner?<br /><br />If So! This would have problems in reality, in a Zero Gravity or Micro Gravity Environment. Any catapult system on a Larger Mother Ship would create a recoil in the amount of the force of the ejected mass, Smaller Ship, which would push the bigger ship in the opposite direction, and would thus require thrust (ie:fuel) to counter this, and therefore would make such a catapult system on an Orbital or Space Based Facility or Ship, impractical and creating more problems than solving, and nothing would be gained or saved from this approach in the end! When large Facilities and Ships are built in the coming days, in Earth Orbit and in Space, any smaller craft or ships that are launched, would do so under their own power, and separate from the larger launch platform, whether that is a Station or Ship!<br /><br />If you mean a Catapult Like System in a Gravity Well, like on a Planet, Moon, or Very Large Body in Space (ie:I say very Large Body as a Smaller Body even a small asteroid would be effected by launch recoil forces, and such an approach has even been suggested as a thrust component to move small asteroids, but this is another thread altogether!) this would work, and would have many benefits to Launch System Capabilities and Launch Vehicle Fuel & Structure Mass at launch. I am sure you, or at least some of your buddies in school, have used a rubber band stre
grooble, we can not continue the terrible waste of our present space program directives and thinking!<br /><br />Over 108+ of these massive structures have been wasted by NASA to date!<br />
ARTIST: Tom Lehrer<br />TITLE: Wernher Von Braun<br />Lyrics and Chords<br /><br /><br />Gather round while I sing you of Wernher von Braun<br />A man whose allegiance is ruled by expedience<br />Call him a Nazi, he won't even frown<br />"Ha, Nazi schmazi," says Wernher von Braun<br /><br />/ G7 - C - / G7 C G7 C / G7 - C A7 / Dm C G7 C / <br /><br />Don't say that he's hypocritical<br />Say rather that he's apolitical<br />"Once the rockets are up, who cares where they come down<br />That's not my department," says Wernher von Braun<br /><br />/ B7 - Em - / / G7 - C A7 / Dm C G7 C /<br /><br />Some have harsh words for this man of renown<br />But some think our attitude should be one of gratitude<br />Like the widows and cripples in old London town<br />Who owe their large pensions to Wernher von Braun<br /><br />You too may be a big hero<br />Once you've learned to count backwards to zero<br />"In German oder English I know how to count down<br />Und I'm learning Chinese," says Wernher von Braun
A quote attributeable to the good Docktor, "Late to bed, early to rise, work hard and advertise."<br /><br />It's funny, all he had is a vision, the will, and paper and pencil.<br /><br />Today we have nay sayers, complainers, and computers.<br /><br />Von Braun went to the moon, and we can't even get off the ground. <br /><br />I don't know if I should laugh, or cry.<br /><br />In any case, good thread!
CDR6, Thank You!<br /><br />I did mean this thread as an inspiration, and not any political statement in anyway!<br /><br />I agree with all you say, and your feelings! ;-)<br /><br />http://uplink.space.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=missions&Number=206964&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=0&fpart=<br /><br />Please check out the Assisted Launch Thread, as this needs a little attention and support! 
"??!!??"<br /><br />Just wanted to share this satirical piece from 1965 for those who may not have heard it. <br /><br />I agree, Von Braun was a very driven and determined genius and we need more of them.
So long as they are not prepared to sell their souls to realise their vision.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em> Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
It is sad that this post war view of Wernher von Braun was widely distributed, and even affected him here in the United States.<br /><br />It would be like associating Albert Einstein as a monster for dropping 2 atomic bombs on Japan. Albert Einstein tried to get the U.S. Military to use a Japanese Island to show the Japanese the power of Americas new Super Weapon, which was side lined. The Military was most likely correct that such a use of the Atomic Bomb on a Japanese island would have been ignored, or thought to be an American ruse of some type, so the Military in the conditions of that time and era had to make a sever decision, which had I been a military leader at that time, may very well have made the very same decision. These two uses of the Atomic Bomb on Japanese Cities was a horrible thing! BUT!, both the Japanese and Americans both have agreed, then, and NOW, that this saved many many more lives and destruction, than had it not been done. This in Albert Einstein’s case, was a Military use of his Genius, and not a direct wish of Dr. Einstein in anyway!<br /><br />This was the same case with Dr. Wernher von Braun. Both the German Military and American Military used his Genius for Military Advantage and Uses! In the case of the German Military had he refused or not cooperated he would have been ruined, imprisoned, or killed. In the case of the American Military had he not cooperated, he would have been ruined or imprisoned.<br /><br />So, as all through out history, the geniuses and inventors of humanity are always controlled and used by societal forces or human events out side their control or wishes.<br /><br />It is a fact of history and human nature we must always be aware of, and acknowledge!<br /><br />Albert Enstien: "Imagination Is More Important Than Knowledge"<br /><br />
You need to read a bit more widely on the degree to which German scientists and engineers willingly coopwerated with the Nazis. It is saluatory stuff. How many of us would have axcted differently had it been us?<br /><br />There is no comparison with Einstein and WVB. Einstein alerted Roosevelt to the possibilities of nuclear weapons and that was all. Post war he campaigned against the insanity of the nculear arms race and said that had be known the consequences of his physics he would have chosen a different career.<br /><br />By contrast WVB willingly worked for the Nazi's developing eapons whose only purpose was to target civilians. He knew that the V2's were being built at the Mittelwerk with slave labour from the concentration camp next door. Post war he willinging helped the US develop delivery systems for nuclear weapons. To my knowledge he never acknowledged the fact that the V2 was a terror weapon, or expressed regret that the prime use for his rockets was as weapons of mass destruction, or for his association with the horrors of the Nazi regime.<br /><br />The fact is that that WVB would have been tried as a war criminal had be been involved in anything other than less interesting to the US. Whether he would have been convicted is another story. <br /><br />Yes, he was a brilliant engineer and administrator. Yes he had a great dream. But he was prepared to sacrifice everything to achieve that goal. His role in developing rockets and space travel is very significant. But the dark side also has to be recongised. Otherwise what we are indulging in is hagiography.<br /><br />Jon <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em> Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
I prefer this image of Albert Einstein <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong> </p> </div>
JonClarke, you may be right in some of what you say?!<br /><br />However, please do not turn this thread into political rhetoric, thank you!<br /><br />I want this thread to be used as a positive, what if?, and what we can do!, thread.<br /><br />Thanks! <br />
<br />I don't think recognising the darker side to WVB's career is political rhetoric, but an essential part to acknowledging the whole picture. <br /><br />Jon<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em>Whether we become a multi-planet species with unlimited horizons, or are forever confined to Earth will be decided in the twenty-first century amid the vast plains, rugged canyons and lofty mountains of Mars</em> Arthur Clarke</p> </div>
"earth_bound_misfit, yep, when I was in college, I had one of those posters on my wall! "<br /><br />Everytime I see that image I crack up, even whislt reading this thread of yours!!! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong> </p> </div>
"<br /><br />Everytime I see that image I crack up, even whislt reading this thread of yours!!! <img src="/images/icons/smile.gif" /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p> </p><p>----------------------------------------------------------------- </p><p>Wanna see this site looking like the old SDC uplink?</p><p>Go here to see how: <strong>SDC Eye saver </strong> </p> </div>JonClarke, I already acknowledged your point in this regards, and your opinion and concern has been lodged for all to see! So what do you want me to say?<br /><br />I have asked that you focus on the positives of this post, and it is meant to inspire and interest the public into what almost was, and can still be!<br /><br />If we can again find our courage, zeal, and determination to move forward, and not backwards!<br /><br />In JFK's famous speech that set America on the path to the moon! He said: "We Do This Not Because It Is Easy!, But Because It Is Hard!"<br /><br />So, you have contributed negative to this thread, and the negative is always to easy to find!<br /><br />Now I ask you, JonClarke, what positive do you have to contribute, which will inspire those reading this post?<br /><br />
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