Walter Jacobi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walter Jacobi
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Jacobi in 2002
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| Born | January 13, 1918 Saalfeld, Germany
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| Died | August 19, 2009 (aged 91) Huntsville, Alabama, United States
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| Nationality | German, United States |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aeronautics |
| Institutions | Peenemünde Fort Bliss Redstone Arsenal Marshall Space Flight Center |
Walter Jacobi (born January 13, 1918 – died August 19, 2009) was a very important rocket scientist. He was part of a special team of scientists led by Wernher von Braun. This team worked on rockets in Germany.
Later, Walter Jacobi moved to the United States. He used his amazing skills to help the U.S. space program. He played a big part in building powerful rockets for exploring space.
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Who Was Walter Jacobi?
Walter Jacobi was born in Saalfeld, Germany, in 1918. From a young age, he was interested in how things fly. This interest led him to become an expert in rockets. He dedicated his life to understanding and building these incredible machines.
Early Work in Germany
Walter Jacobi began his career at a place called Peenemünde in Germany. This was a secret research center where scientists worked on new rocket designs. From 1939 to 1945, Jacobi helped develop the V-2 rockets. These were some of the first large, long-range rockets ever built. His work focused on the structure and parts of these early rockets.
Moving to the United States
After World War II, Walter Jacobi was one of many German scientists who moved to the United States. This move was part of a special program called Operation Paperclip. The U.S. government wanted these scientists to share their knowledge. They hoped this would help America develop its own rocket technology.
Jacobi arrived in the United States on November 16, 1945. He was on the very first boat of scientists. His first stop was Fort Bliss, Texas. Here, he continued his important work on rockets.
Building America's Space Program
Walter Jacobi and his team later moved to Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. This new location became a major center for rocket development. Jacobi then joined the Marshall Space Flight Center, which is part of NASA. NASA is the U.S. space agency.
At NASA, Jacobi continued to work on the "structure and components" of rockets. This means he helped design the parts that make up a rocket. He made sure they were strong and worked correctly. His work was crucial for building the rockets that would launch satellites and astronauts into space.
Walter Jacobi continued to support the space program for many years. He often appeared at public events, sharing his passion for space exploration. He passed away in 2009, leaving behind a legacy of scientific achievement.
