Cold War

German-Born Space Pioneers Helped America Reach the Moon

By Bob Granath | October 22, 2025

In the months and years following the conclusion of World War II, Dr. Wernher von Braun and Dr. Kurt Debus led a team of German rocket experts who came to the United States and helped set the foundation for the utilization of space with the benefits for all of humankind. While their contributions now are a crucial part of everyday life, revisionist historians are attempting to erase the legacy of these pioneers. While their work resulted in development of the infamous V-2 missile, the goal of von Braun and Debus always was to explore space.

Efforts are Underway to Erase Legacy of Key Space Pioneers

By Bob Granath | October 15, 2025

In July 1969, people around the world joined Americans celebrating as NASA’s Apollo 11 astronauts walked on the Moon. This and many other historic achievements were made possible through the vision and work of a team of German rocket experts led by Dr. Wernher von Braun and Dr. Kurt Debus. They came to the United States following World War II and became key leaders in developing technology vital to the “Free World” during the hottest days of the Cold War. However, some groups now are making concerted efforts to erase the memory of these pioneers. While they helped developed the V-2 for Germany during the war, some falsely believe they supported the policies of the Nazi regime.

First Launch From ‘The Cape’ Leads to 75 Years of Historic Triumphs

By Bob Granath | July 24, 2025

On a warm morning during the summer of 1950, 75 years ago, a small group of engineers and technicians launched a two-stage rocket from the east coast of Florida. The missile was the first to take flight from a new government installation called the Long Range Proving Ground. It was hardly noticed, but it was the first rocket launched from Cape Canaveral.

Adversaries’ Handshake in Space Leads to Decades of Cooperation

By Bob Granath | July 15, 2025

In the summer of 1975, 50 years ago, millions around the world watched an event that would have been unthinkable only a few years earlier. An American Apollo spacecraft docked with a Soviet Soyuz capsule leading to a handshake in Earth orbit. As the first international space mission, the Apollo Soyuz Test Project led to extensive cooperation ongoing today.

Legendary Countdown Preceded the First Moon Landing Mission

By Bob Granath | February 8, 2024

A countdown first was used as part of a rocket’s launch to the Moon in the 1929 science-fiction movie “Frau im Mond” (Woman in the Moon). Ironically, a countdown led to the voyage of Neil Armstrong, Mike Collins and Buzz Aldrin completing the first mission to actually land humans on the Moon 40 years later. The day Apollo 11 lifted off on its extraordinary flight, July 16, 1969, hundreds of millions on every continent around the world watched and listened on live television to what became the most famous countdown.

The U.S. Edges Ahead in the Race for Space, Shoots for the Moon

By Bob Granath | November 28, 2022

The “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union remains an often studied and debated period of the 20th Century. While the Russians began with a lead, once challenged, the leadership of President John F. Kennedy resulted in Americans surpassing their Cold War rival on the way to the Moon. While the effort was politically motivated, the technology that came from space exploration built the modern world.

How Did the United States Take the Lead in the ‘Space Race?’

By Bob Granath | October 26, 2022

One of the most memorable periods of the 20th Century is known as the “Space Race” between the United States and the Soviet Union. While the Russians got off to a fast start with many impressive firsts, Americans quickly pulled ahead and met the goal of landing humans on the Moon. But, historians do not universally agree on when the competition actually began and at what point NASA took the lead.

Soviet ‘Star Brothers’ Orbit as Part of First Joint Space Flight

By Bob Granath | August 10, 2022

In the summer of 1962, the Soviet Union stunned the world once again with a space spectacular in which two cosmonauts quadrupled the duration of a mission a year earlier while simultaneously orbiting two crewed spacecraft. The achievement appeared to extend the lead of America’s Cold War rival in the “Space Race.”

Cape Canaveral: Historic Launch Pad for Exploration Beyond Earth

By Bob Granath | July 6, 2022

Marianna Triplett was working at the Pentagon, continuing the effort to transfer millions of men and women back to civilian life after they served in the military during World War II. One day during 1948, a U.S. Army general called her into his office and said he wanted to transfer her to Florida to assist with a “hush-hush secret program.” The new effort building Cape Canaveral Space Force Station would lead to some of the most historic achievements of the decades to come.

Quintessential American Hero Takes America to Earth Orbit

By Bob Granath | February 17, 2022

“Liftoff, the clock is operating. We’re underway,” NASA astronaut John Glenn announced as he launched to as the first American to orbit the Earth. His spacecraft’s onboard mission elapsed time clock began counting his minutes in flight as he was boosted from Florida’s East Coast on Feb. 20, 1962 – 60 years ago. After his three-orbit mission, the U.S. Marine Corps colonel returned to Earth as the quintessential American hero.

Tag: Cold War