Wernher von Braun was a German-born aerospace engineer and space architect who is widely regarded as the father of modern rocketry. He was the leading figure in the development of the V-2 rocket for Nazi Germany during World War II and later played a key role in the development of the Saturn V rocket for the United States during the Apollo program. Von Braun was also a member of the Nazi party and SS, but was never convicted of war crimes.