This clip from the DVD History of Spaceflight outlines Wernher von Braun's vision for the colonization of space. Be sure to check out footage of von Braun from the rarely seen film Challenge of Outer Space.
See also:
Wernher von Braun's Space Shuttle (1950s)
Challenge of Outer Space (circa 1950s)
Man and the Moon (1955)
Von Braun's complicity in Nazi atrocities is a fact that must always be remembered and reckoned with whenever we consider his influence over space exploration. Whatever his scientific achievements and whatever has been made of them, each carries the taint of the corruption for which von Braun sold his soul. As human life began on earth with an original sin, von Braun's vast and unspeakable crimes lie at the heart of our tentative steps into the cosmos. What edifice can stand, built upon such a foundation?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure how to take that comment, but discoveries are discoveries no matter who makes them. How the knowledge came to be is less important than what we do with it, because the past is already gone but the future is still ours to make.
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ReplyDeleteHey Gary... get a grip. Frankly, I'm sick of hearing about von Braun and the Nazi's.
ReplyDeleteHey Gary,
ReplyDeletewhen the Americans conquered Europe in 1944 and 1945 what did they take
with them ? A history of 200 years of extinguishing people of a different race like indians, for example.
The black soldiers which formerly had been slaves died in the first line.
America had some great discoveries, too, but where did they take the knowledge from ?
American scientist admit that stealing the german inventions saved them 10 years of work....so far for the foundation. cheers