Gerhard Reisig facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerhard Reisig
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Gerhard Herbert Richard Reisig
March 3, 1910 Leipzig, Germany
|
| Died | March 9, 2005 (aged 95) Moorhead, Minnesota, U.S.
|
| Alma mater | Technical University of Dresden, Dresden (BS) (1932) Technical University of Dresden, Dresden (Diploma Engineer) (1934) Technical University of Braunschweig, Braunschweig (Dr. of Engineering) (1963) |
| Spouse(s) | Gisela Haenichen |
| Children | 2 |
Gerhard Herbert Richard Reisig (born March 3, 1910 – died March 9, 2005) was an important engineer and rocket scientist. He was born in Germany and later became an American citizen. He helped design rockets during World War II and later worked on space programs in the United States.
Early Life and Education
Gerhard Reisig was born in Leipzig, Germany, on March 3, 1910. As a child, he went to school in his hometown. He loved to learn and later studied at the Dresden University of Technology. There, he earned degrees in engineering physics. Years later, he also received a special Doctor of Engineering degree.
Working with Rockets
After finishing his studies, Reisig worked for a company called Siemens. But his real passion was rockets! In 1937, a famous rocket scientist named Wernher von Braun hired him. Reisig joined von Braun's team at the Peenemünde Army Research Center. This was a secret place where they designed and tested rockets.
During World War II, Reisig worked on early rocket designs. These included the A3 and A5 rockets. He also helped with missions using the V-2 rocket. This rocket was used for scientific tests, like studying the upper atmosphere. Later, he worked on a missile project called Wasserfall, which was never finished.
Moving to America
After World War II, the United States started a program called Operation Paperclip. This program brought many German scientists, including Reisig and von Braun's team, to America. They arrived on December 6, 1945.
Reisig first worked at a place called Fort Bliss. Later, he moved to Huntsville, Alabama, which became a big center for rocket development. He even taught classes about how rockets fly!
Space Exploration Work
In 1962, Reisig began working at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). This was a very important place for NASA's space missions. He became an expert in how the environment affects rockets. He worked there until he retired in 1973.
Even after retiring, Reisig continued to share his knowledge. He taught at the University of Tennessee Space Institute and Concordia College. Gerhard Reisig passed away on March 9, 2005, leaving behind a legacy in rocket science and space exploration.
