“To boldly go where no man has gone before.” – Hermann Oberth
Hermann Oberth’s theoretical breakthroughs transformed rocketry from speculative fiction into science, thus influencing the development of modern space exploration. His mentorship of Wernher von Braun and contributions to the V-2 rocket program set foundational principles that shape the field.
Germany’s major figure in early rocketry, Oberth held a place alongside Russia’s Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and the United States’ Robert H. Goddard. Born on July 25, 1894, in Hermannstadt, Transylvania (now Sibiu, Romania), Oberth was captivated by space from an early age, drawing inspiration from Jules Verne’s science fiction, notably “From the Earth to the Moon” and “Around the Moon.” Initially pursuing medicine in Munich, he served as a medic in World War I, during which he developed an interest in rocketry. Oberth proposed liquid-fueled rockets as a means for long-range missiles to the German War Department, though his ideas were dismissed.
In 1922, Oberth formalized his concepts in his doctoral dissertation, “Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen” (“By Rocket into Planetary Space”), which the University of Heidelberg rejected as speculative. Undeterred, Oberth self-published in 1923. His research demonstrated that rockets could reach outer space, detailed the feasibility of liquid propellants – liquid oxygen and hydrogen, proposed multi-stage rockets for increased velocities, and addressed challenges in space navigation and life support.
To advance Oberth’s vision, the Verein für Raumschiffahrt (VfR), or German Society for Space Travel, was established in 1927. The VfR, drawing scientists and engineers eager to make space travel a reality, began conducting experimental rocket tests by 1929. The society attracted notable members, including Wernher von Braun, a young engineering student who became Oberth’s assistant and protégé, as well as Rudolf Nebel, a pivotal figure in early rocketry. The VfR’s activities inspired similar organizations globally, including the American Rocket Society.
Oberth’s mentorship influenced von Braun, who later directed Germany’s rocket development efforts during World War II. Together, Oberth and von Braun worked on liquid-fueled rockets to achieve high-altitudes, accelerating Germany’s rocketry program. Leveraging Oberth’s theories, Germany developed the V-2 rocket, the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile.
The legacy of Oberth’s work is clear: the V-2’s technology became the blueprint for postwar rocketry. In the United States, von Braun’s Saturn V rocket launched the Apollo missions to the Moon. In the Soviet Union, captured V-2 technology supported early rocket development. All modern rockets trace their lineage to the V-2 and to Oberth’s pioneering contributions.
References
- Anderson, M. (Ed.). (2012). Pioneers in Astronomy and Space Exploration. Britannica Educational Publishing.
- Oberth, H. (1984). Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen. Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag.
- Neufeld, M. J. (1995). The rocket and the Reich: Peenemünde and the coming of the ballistic missile era. Simon and Schuster.