A V-2 A4 rocket launched from Peenemünde, an island off Germany’s Baltic coast, became the first known man-made object to reach space, traveling 118 miles on October 3, 1942.

The 2-ton, liquid-propellant rocket was designed by rocket scientist Wernher von Braun and proved extraordinarily deadly during World War II. Over 3,000 were launched at Allied targets beginning in September 1944.

Employing supersonic aerodynamics, gyroscopic guidance, and rudders in jet control, the V-2 was difficult to intercept as it would rise six miles vertically then proceed on an arced course, cutting off its own fuel according to the range desired before tipping over and falling on its target at a speed of almost 4000 mph. (See photo on right of V-2 rocket replica found at the Peenemünde Museum.)

It was the world’s first long-range combat-ballistic missile. History records that Adolf Hitler was not particularly impressed by the V-2, believing it to be an expensive, long-range artillery shell. Still, he supported the research, which ultimately gobbled up tremendous Nazi resources.



This photo shows a V-2 rocket launched from Test Stand VII in the summer of 1943.

During the aftermath of World War II, the American, Soviet, and British governments all gained access to the V-2’s technical designs and the scientists responsible for creating the rockets, via Operation Paperclip, Operation Osoaviakhim, and Operation Backfire, respectively.

With such knowledge and engineers now on their sides, the rockets became the progenitors of modern rockets and missiles, including those built by the United States and Soviet Union space programs during the Space Race and later Cold War. NASA is currently working on the Space Launch System (SLS), which will be the most powerful rocket the agency has ever built. The launch vehicle is designed for deep space missions and will provide the power to help the Orion spacecraft reach a speed of at least 24,500 mph needed to break out of low-Earth orbit and travel to the Moon.

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For more moments in tech history, see this blog. EDN strives to be historically accurate with these postings. Should you see an error, please notify us.

Editor’s note: This article was originally posted on October 3, 2012 and edited on October 2, 2019.