After WWII, the U.S. quietly brought over more than 1,600 former Nazi scientists, engineers, and technicians through a classified program known as Operation Paperclip.
Many, like Wernher von Braun, had worked on the V-2 rocket program for Nazi Germany — a project that used forced labor and caused thousands of deaths. Despite these backgrounds, they were given security clearance, integrated into U.S. institutions, and played pivotal roles in the space race and missile development.
This ethically complex chapter of Cold War history raises important questions:
Was it strategic necessity or moral compromise?
How did the U.S. justify the use of former SS members in national projects?
What does this tell us about the postwar realignment of science, politics, and justice?
📽️ For those interested, this documentary provides a detailed look into the topic: “What if NASA’s space race was built on buried secrets — and Nazi scientists?” ➡️ Watch here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY0JMjJp-yc
Would love to hear thoughts from others who’ve studied this period — especially the intelligence side or the early space program.