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Presented by Ed Buckbee “Late to bed early to rise, work like heck and advertise,” said rocket scientist Wernher von Braun History has embraced few uncommonly gifted scientists—think in the caliber of Galileo and Thomas Edition--as well as few uncommonly gifted managers. History has rarely welcomed an individual who is equally gifted in both disciplines. Wernher von Braun, considered by many to be one of the most successful and effective managers of a U.S. peacetime technology program, was certainly such an individual. Ed Buckbee, former NASA public affairs official, spokesman and colleague of the famous rocket scientist, takes you behind the scenes with a close-up look at the father of America’s moon landing program. You meet the man that convinced President John F. Kennedy that we could beat the Russians in an all out race to the moon. That race would begin in Huntsville, Alabama, at von Braun’s rocket factory. Von Braun was a public relation man’s dream and the darling of the press corps covering the moon-landing program. His ability to sell his dreams and vision to the Americana public was unique. Congressmen and senators trusted him. They sought him out to answer their question, “can we beat the Russians to the moon?” Buckbee presents von Braun’s story with photography, interviews, and personal notes never before seen and experiences that only he can relate because--he was here. During the height of the Saturn- Apollo program, von Braun implemented a particularly effect management tool called the weekly notes. The notes were his direct personal channel with his laboratory directors and project managers providing insight to his management style, his personality and his hands-on approach to leadership. Buckbee takes you inside the rocket factory where the Saturn V-- a rocket of immense size, power and accuracy-- was conceived, developed and tested. It was to become the moon rocket. You see, hear and feel this mammoth rocket--man’s greatest space machine-- being tested prior to being launched on its journey to the moon with American astronauts aboard. Who was this man Wernher von Braun--rocket scientist, visionary, crusade for space? Learn more about America’s moon rocket man from Buckbee’s first-hand account. Ed Buckbee, an alumnus of NASA public affairs, a lecturer, space advocate and author, presents a power point presentation with rarely seen visuals, personal notes, and interviews designed for all audiences. Founder of Space Camp and co-founder of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, Buckbee authored with the late Wally Schirra, “The Real Space Cowboys,” and is the editor of “50 Years of Rockets and Spacecraft.” Sep. 2009-- buckbee@air-space.com
Wernher von Braun, The Rocket Man, video documentary:
During the 40th Anniversary of America’s first moon landing, July 20, 2009, the documentary entitled, “Wernher von Braun, The Rocket Man” was premiered at the Davidson Center for Space Exploration, U.S. Space & Rocket Center, Huntsville Alabama. The showing was followed by a panel discussion. The documentary covers four decades of von Braun’s career beginning in Germany and concluding at the Marshall Center where he served as the first director from 1960-1970. It contains rare footage of von Braun interviews recorded during the Saturn-Apollo era of the 60’s. Dorette Schlidt, a resident of Huntsville who worked with von Braun in Germany, tells of his early interest in rocketry and space travel. His secretary of twenty years at the U.S. Army and the Marshall Center, Bonnie Holmes, describes what it was like to work for the man who took us to the moon. Ruth von Saurma, his international relations specialist, tells of his communications skills and his desire to fly in space himself. Frank Williams worked as a special assistant for many years for the rocket scientist. He describes von Braun’s management skills, passion and his superb leadership in keeping this unique team of rocketeers focused on the task of building the Saturn V moon rocket. Von Braun’s interest in the community is shown by his efforts to create and develop the Space & Rocket Center and the highly successful Space Camp, attended by over 500,000 students. The center is the home of the largest collection of rockets and space vehicles on public display in the world. Buckbee, a former Marshall Center public affairs official, produced a 1965 TV series, entitled, “Today In Space,” featuring von Braun. Buckbee was selected by von Braun to be the first director of the Space & Rocket Center and became the curator of the von Braun’s papers, which he has studied and interpreted for many years. Buckbee (left) and von Braun view a live demonstration of the first exhibit for the Space & Rocket Center during a filming of “Today in Space” produced by Buckbee in 1970. $20.00 including shipment Payable to: Ed Buckbee & Associates 47 Revere Way Huntsville Al. 35801 |
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WERNHER
VON BRAUN --- THE ROCKET MAN
President John F. Kennedy arrived in Huntsville, Alabama-- the Rocket City-- in
1961 to meet the people who were building the moon rocket. The young
president had committed the nation to an all out space race against the
Russians—send American astronauts to the moon and return them safely to the
Earth—and do it within the decade of the 60’s. The trip to the moon would
begin in Huntsville, Alabama at Wernher von Braun’s rocket factory, the
Marshall Space Flight Center.
