“Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.” ― Wernher von Braun
Tweet
Wernher von Braun was a German-American rocket scientist and aerospace engineer who is credited with helping to develop the first successful launch vehicles for the United States. He was also a key figure in the development of the V-2 rocket for the German military during World War II. One of von Braun’s most famous quotes is: “Research is what I’m doing when I don’t know what I’m doing.“
During World War II, von Braun was conscripted into the German Army and assigned to the rocket program at Peenemünde. There, he and his team developed the V-2 rocket, which was the first long-range ballistic missile. Despite the V-2’s use as a weapon of war, von Braun always maintained that his true motivation was the pursuit of space exploration.
After the war, von Braun and many of his colleagues were captured by American forces and brought to the United States. There, they were recruited by the government to work on rocket development for the newly-formed U.S. Army. In 1960, von Braun’s team successfully launched the first American satellite into orbit, paving the way for future space missions.
Throughout his career, von Braun was known for his scientific curiosity and his bold approach to problem-solving. He was a firm believer in the importance of experimentation and risk-taking in the pursuit of knowledge, and this is reflected in his famous quote.
Today, von Braun’s legacy lives on in the many advances made in rocket science and space exploration. His quote continues to inspire scientists and researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge, even when they don’t know what they’re doing.
The book begins with von Braun’s early life and education in Germany. It describes his passion for rocketry and space exploration, and his early efforts to develop rockets and launch vehicles. The book also covers von Braun’s work on the V-2 rocket at Peenemünde during World War II, and his capture by American forces after the war.
After von Braun’s arrival in the United States, the book discusses his work on rocket development for the U.S. Army and his role in the successful launch of the first American satellite in 1960. It also covers von Braun’s later work on the Saturn V rocket, which was used to launch the Apollo missions to the moon.
Throughout the book, the authors provide detailed accounts of von Braun’s scientific discoveries and innovations, as well as his struggles and challenges. They also offer insights into von Braun’s personal life and his relationships with colleagues and contemporaries.
Overall, “Wernher von Braun: Crusader for Space” is a comprehensive and engaging look at the life and work of one of the most important figures in the history of rocket science and space exploration. If you’re interested in learning more about von Braun and his contributions to the field, this book is a great place to start.
If you found this post about the inspiring words of Wernher von Braun on the importance of curiosity and courage in research thought-provoking and insightful, we encourage you to leave a comment and share your thoughts and reflections. Your input and perspective can help enrich the conversation and inspire others to consider the role that curiosity and courage play in the scientific process and the importance of pushing boundaries and asking hard questions. Sharing this post can also help spread the message and encourage more people to think about the role of research in advancing our understanding of the world and the value of a curious and courageous mindset. So don’t hesitate, leave a comment and share this post today!
Sapiens Verbum 