Columbia, MO: Space and Rocket Center chronicles nation's exploration of outer space

From Columbia Daily Tribune: Space and Rocket Center chronicles nation's exploration of outer space

"I have learned to use the word impossible with the greatest caution." — Wernher Von Braun

The United States' space exploration and development of intercontinental missiles was influenced by German scientific discoveries in World War II. Our space and rocket research, in turn, has led to the development of the cellphone, GPS and a multitude of devices we now consider necessary to a modern life.

The exhibit "100 Years of Von Braun: His American Journey" runs until mid-May at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, Ala. It showcases how much we owe to Wernher Von Braun, not only for the technical achievements of NASA but also for many advances in the U.S. Army's capacity to wage war.

Hitler based many of his hopes for success on technical developments such as the V2 rockets. Von Braun and his team of 300 scientists gave him some advanced systems that were in danger of falling into the hands of the Russians at the end of the war. So Von Braun loaded his team and the parts for 200 missiles into trucks and drove west to surrender to the U.S. Army, hoping to be taken to our country. He and 118 of his team members first were settled in Texas, and in 1948, they were integrated into our missile program and later our space program.

I browsed through a series of rooms examining the discoveries and developments, all profusely accompanied by films of Von Braun, the central figure in these advances. My impression was that, without his brilliance to aid us, the Russians might have surpassed us not only in ballistic missiles but in the exploration of outer space. One video, "Dr. Space," shows how he was portrayed in Hollywood movies, one of which tried to excuse his work for Hitler. Other clips show Von Braun meeting with a series of presidents, starting with John Kennedy. Photos and stories on his private life give the impression of his being somewhat of a superman.

One of the most interesting films on display was taken aboard a shuttle as an astronaut explains how they prepare and eat food, sleep in a special container they have to crawl into and how they take a bath and use the toilet.

The team of scientists working with Von Braun was getting ready to send the Apollo astronauts to the moon when he developed the idea of a permanent showcase of the space program. Now the museum has many hands-on exhibits from the Smithsonian Institution, NASA, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force. Inside the museum are a number of space shuttles and missiles of various sizes, and outside are a shuttle on the launching rocket and a park that includes a dozen rockets of various size and age.

Two IMAX movies are being shown, "Legends of Flight" and "Hubble." "Hubble" shows the launch of the Hubble, the development of problems that made it temporarily useless and the trips made to repair it. Special attention is given to the last trip in 2009, during which we viewed the astronauts who did the work. The most stunning part of the movie is the trip through the universe through the lens of the repaired Hubble as we moved millions of light-years within minutes.

A visit to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center is an exciting experience for all ages.