Historisch-Technisches Museum Peenemünde

The Peenemünde Historical and Technical Museum (Peenemünder Historisch-Technische Museum) is located on the site of the former Peenemünde Army Research Center on the island of Usedom in northeastern Germany. The museum is dedicated to the history of the V-2 rocket, the development of early space exploration technologies, and the role of Peenemünde in the context of World War II and the Cold War.

Historisch-Technisches Museum Peenemünde

Im Kraftwerk

17449 Peenemünde

Germany

www.peenemuende.de

hti@peenemuende.de

+49  38371 5050

Fax +49  38371 505111

April – September

  • Daily 10:00 – 18:00

October – March

  • Daily 10:00 – 16:00
  • November to March closed on Mondays

Admission fee

Gift shop

Aircraft collection

v-2
DDR-SPW

992

911

Kamov Ka-26

Mikoyan Gurevich MiG-21PFM

Mil Mi-8T

Highlights of the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum:

1. V-2 Rocket Development:

  • Peenemünde is most famous for being the site where Wernher von Braun and his team developed the V-2 rocket (A-4), the world’s first long-range guided ballistic missile. This weapon was used by Nazi Germany during WWII.
  • The museum includes extensive exhibits detailing the development, testing, and use of the V-2 rocket, and the significant advances in rocketry that were made here. Visitors can see V-2 rockets, detailed models, and learn about the science and technology behind them.
  • Information is also provided about the ethical questions surrounding the development of these weapons and the use of forced labor during the rocket program.

2. Wernher von Braun and Space Exploration:

  • After World War II, many of the scientists and engineers who worked on the V-2 program, including Wernher von Braun, were brought to the United States as part of Operation Paperclip, contributing to the development of the U.S. space program.
  • The museum highlights von Braun’s role in the American space race, including his work on the Redstone and Saturn rockets that were used in the Apollo missions to land humans on the Moon.
  • There are exhibits about the technological advances in space exploration that were a direct result of the work done at Peenemünde.

3. The History of Peenemünde:

  • The museum explores the history of Peenemünde itself, which was once a top-secret military research and testing facility. During the war, the site was used by Nazi Germany to develop advanced weapons, including the V-1 flying bomb and the V-2 rocket.
  • Visitors can learn about the scientists, engineers, and workers who were involved in the research, as well as the impact of the site on the local population and the broader course of WWII.
  • The museum also includes information about the military importance of the site during the war and the role Peenemünde played in Germany’s rocket and missile programs.

4. Exhibits on World War II and the Cold War:

  • The museum offers a deeper understanding of the broader historical context in which the Peenemünde rocket program took place, including the military strategies of Nazi Germany and the role of weapons in the conflict.
  • The museum also discusses the Cold War period, focusing on how the technology developed at Peenemünde influenced the space race and the subsequent arms race between the United States and Soviet Union.

5. Theoretical and Practical Contributions to Rocketry:

  • In addition to focusing on the weapons development, the museum also explores the scientific achievements of the Peenemünde team, including the theoretical foundations of modern rocketry.
  • Visitors can explore models and interactive displays that explain how rockets work and how technological advances in rocketry have impacted modern space exploration.

6. Aircraft and Rocket Displays:

  • The museum houses several historical exhibits related to rockets, missiles, and aircraft, including full-size models of the V-1 and V-2 rockets, as well as some early aircraft used in the development of the rocket program.
  • It is a fascinating collection for anyone interested in the technical and historical aspects of missile technology, the evolution of rockets, and the transition from military applications to space exploration.

7. Labor and Ethics:

  • The museum does not shy away from the controversial aspects of the V-2 program, including the use of forced labor. Thousands of prisoners from concentration camps were used to build and test the rockets, and many died in the process.
  • The museum offers a sobering reflection on the ethics of technological development during wartime and the moral challenges faced by scientists and engineers involved in such programs.

Tips for Visitors:

  • Aviation and Space Enthusiasts: This museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of rocket science, space exploration, and the technological innovations of the 20th century.
  • Historical Context: Be sure to take time to reflect on the broader historical significance of the site, including the ethical dilemmas related to the use of forced labor and the impact of these technologies on warfare and global politics.
  • Guided Tours: Consider booking a guided tour to get a deeper understanding of the complex history of Peenemünde and its impact on modern technology.

The Peenemünde Historical and Technical Museum offers a comprehensive look at one of the most significant sites in the history of rocket science, blending technical achievements with the complex history of war, ethics, and scientific progress. Whether you’re fascinated by rockets, space exploration, or the history of WWII, the museum provides valuable insights into the technological advances that shaped the modern world.

The Peenemünde Military Test Site was one of the most modern technological facilities in the world in the years between 1936 and 1945. The first launch of a missile into space took place here in October 1942.  In the nearby air force testing area, rocket engineers tested numerous flight objects equipped with revolutionary technology.

The Historisch-Technisches Museum Peenemünde exhibition in the power station is primarily a historical exhibition, in which the history of technology and the memory of the victims are also displayed.

Exhibits, documents and films inform visitors about the fateful pact that the rocket builders and their technical director Wernher von Braun entered into with the rulers of the time. Building on the technical experience gained in Peenemünde, Wernher von Braun and many of the former employees from Peenemünde were able to design the Saturn V rocket for NASA in the mid-1960s for the flight to the moon. However, the order for the rocket builders at that time in the Heeresversuchsanstalt (military research station) was to develop weapons of war.

The effect of the so-called “wonder weapons” is shown to the visitor, for example, by means of films. The wealth of knowledge from the Heeresversuchsanstalt (military research station) formed the basis of the nuclear missile development of the victorious powers. In the USA, the USSR, Great Britain and France (Force de frappe), experts from Peenemünde were involved. The situation and working conditions of the forced labourers are highlighted in a detailed chronicle of the experimental station. The concentration camp prisoners who had to assemble the “wonder weapons” under inhuman conditions are remembered in detail.