One of the last German scientists from WW2 that helped the US during the Cold War has departed this planet.
Konrad Dannenberg, 96, died Feb. 16 in Huntsville, Alaska.
Dannnenberg who was part of the German team headed by Werner von Braun was taken to Fort Bliss, Texas after the war where he became instrumental in the US effort to achieve space superiority over the Russians after the launch of Sputnik in 1957.
While working for the Nazis he helped created the V-2 rocket aka "buzz bomb" that decimated England killing more than 2,700 civilians during the final days of WW2 while at Peenemünde, a German rocket testing facility along the Baltic.
From 1963 to 1973 Dannenberg, a rocket propulsion expert, designed systems for the Saturn rockets which propelled US astronauts to the moon in 1969.
Before his death, Dannenberg, an outspoken proponent for space exploration, suggested tourism may be the way to go.
"It’s a foolish thing," Dannenberg remarked.
"As von Braun said, ‘If you do it when you need it, it’s too late.
"You missed the boat.’"
