BRAUN Werner von (Braun Wernher von)

(1912-1977)
Born March 23, 1912 in Virzitse in Germany (now Wyrzysk, Poland). In 1932 received a bachelor's degree from the Berlin Institute of Technology, and in 1934 - a doctorate degree from the University of Berlin. Inspired by the idea of flying to Mars, since 1929 actively participated in the work of the Society of interplanetary travel in Berlin. In 1932 was admitted to the Artillery Division of the Armed Forces of Germany, where he led work on the ballistic missiles with liquid fuel. In 1937, became one of the leaders of the German military rocket research center on the island of Peenemц?nde in the Baltic Sea. Chief Designer of rocket V-2 (V-2). May 3, 1945 von Braun and most of its employees surrendered the U.S. occupation authorities. Upon arrival in the United States Von Braun led the service design and development of weapons the U.S. Army, then led the department of the army's arsenal of guided missiles 'Redstone' in Huntsville (pc. Alabama). In 1960, became one of the leaders and the first director of NASA's Space Flight Center. Marshall in Huntsville. Under his leadership, has developed rocket series 'Saturn' for manned missions to the moon, satellites of the series 'Explorer' and spacecraft 'Apollo'. Subsequently, von Braun became Vice-President of the firm 'Fairchild Space Industries' in Germantown (pc. Maryland), who left shortly before his death. Brown died in Alegzandrii (pc. Virginia) June 16, 1977.