V-2 rocket parts. Close-up of damaged injection valves from a German V-2 rocket. The V-2, initially known as the A-4, was designed by Wernher von Brau

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V-2 rocket parts. Close-up of damaged injection valves from a German V-2 rocket. The V-2, initially known as the A-4, was designed by Wernher von Braun and Klaus Riedel as part of a German military research team. It was 14 metres in length, carried nearly a tonne of explosive, and could reach a height of 80 kilometres. It was the world's first ballistic missile, and the first to achieve sub-orbital flight. The first successful flight was in 1942. From September 1944 to March 1945, over 3000 V-2 rockets were launched by Nazi Germany during World War II.

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Size: 3417px × 5125px
Photo credit: © DETLEV VAN RAVENSWAAY/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

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