Dr. von Braun's interest in rockets and space travel was ignited since his childhood. von Braun's mother was fascinated with astronomy herself and gave von Braun a telescope when von Braun was at the age of thirteen years old. von Braun also enjoyed works of science fiction, such as works by Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. It is certain that von Braun's intruigement for wanting to reach the sky amplified through these outlets. However, most significantly, von Braun came across an article in a astronomy magazine entitled, "The Rocket into Interplanetary Space" written by Herman Oberth which truly fueled von Braun's passion for rocketry and space travel. It was through this article that von Braun realized he did not have the capabilities or knowledge,
