Hermann Oberth was a pivotal figure in the field of rocketry and space travel, born on June 25, 1894, in Sibiu, which was part of Austria-Hungary at the time, now in Romania. His contributions to astronautics and spaceflight are considered foundational.
Oberth's interest in space travel was sparked in childhood after reading Jules Verne's "From the Earth to the Moon" and "Around the Moon". He pursued his education in physics and mathematics at the University of Munich, but his studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served as an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army.
His doctoral thesis on rocket science, "Die Rakete zu den Planetenräumen" (The Rocket into Interplanetary Space), was initially rejected by the University of Heidelberg in 1922 due to its speculative nature. However, the thesis was published in 1923 at Oberth's own expense and became a seminal work in the field. In this book, Oberth:
Oberth's work inspired a generation of rocket scientists, including Wernher von Braun, who would go on to lead the development of the V-2 Rocket and later the Saturn V rocket used in the Apollo Program. Oberth's theories were also instrumental in the development of the Opel RAK rocket car experiments, showcasing the practical application of rocket propulsion.
During World War II, Oberth worked briefly on the V-2 rocket project in Peenemünde, Germany, although his contributions were more theoretical than practical. After the war, he continued his work in rocketry, moving between Germany, Switzerland, and later the United States, where he worked on various projects, including consulting for NASA.
Oberth received numerous awards and recognitions for his work, including:
Oberth passed away on December 28, 1989, in Nuremberg, Germany. His legacy is recognized for laying the groundwork for modern space exploration.