Filled with anticipation, students from three Huntsville area high schools: Randolph, Sparkman, and Johnson High Schools, counted down to launch the rockets they designed and built at the Army test site on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The projected two-mile high launch culminated more than a year's work and demonstrated the student team's ability to meet the challenge set by the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Student Launch Initiative (SLI) program to apply science and math to experience, judgment, and common sense, and proved to NASA officials that they have successfully built reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), another challenge set by NASA's SLI program. MSFC's SLI program is an educational effort that aims to motivate students to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering. It provides them with hands-on, practical aerospace experience. In this picture, three Sparkman High School students pose with their rocket.

Prior to MSFC (Marshall Space Flight Center) Director, Dr. von Braun's transfer to NASA Headquarters where he had been appointed Deputy Associate Administrator for Plarning, he was honored during a series of events recognizing his contribution to the space effort during his career in Huntsville, Alabama. In this photo at the Madison County Courthouse, Dr. von Braun is shown seated next to his wife, Maria, as U.S. Senator John Sparkman comments on his career in Huntsville, Alabama, where he worked for both the Army and NASA (National Aeronautic Space Administration).

Dr. von Braun was honored with a series of farewell events and ceremonies prior to his reassignment to NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Dr. von Braun speaks to the crowd in front of the Madison County Courthouse in Huntsville, Alabama. Alabama Governor Brewer and U.S. Senator Sparkman are in the foreground.

In 1970 Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Director Dr. Wernher von Braun (right) was reassigned to NASA Headquarters to serve as Deputy Associate Administrator for Plarning. Prior to his transfer, Dr. von Braun was honored for his career in Huntsville, Alabama, with the celebration of "Wernher von Braun Day." Among those participating were Alabama Governor Albert Brewer (left) and Alabama Senator John Sparkman (center). (Courtesy of Huntsville/Madison County Public library)

In February 1970, MSFC Director Dr. von Braun was named NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Plarning and transferred to the Agency's Headquarters in Washington D.C. Prior to his departure, Huntsvillians, along with state local dignitaries, honored his years of service to the Army and NASA with a series of events. One included unveiling a plaque in von Braun's honor. Pictured with Dr. von Braun are (left to right), his daughter Iris, wife Maria, U.S. Senator John Sparkman and Alabama Governor Albert Brewer, Dr. von Braun, son Peter, and daughter Margrit.

Filled with anticipation, students from three Huntsville area high schools: Randolph, Sparkman and Johnson High Schools, counted down to launch the rockets they designed and built at the Army test site on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The projected two-mile high launch culminated more than a year's work and demonstrated the student team's ability to meet the challenge set by the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Student Launch Initiative (SLI) program to apply science and math to experience, judgment, and common sense, and proved to NASA officials that they have successfully built reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), another challenge set by NASA's SLI program. MSFC's SLI program is an educational effort that aims to motivate students to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering. It provides them with hands-on, practical aerospace experience. In this picture, two Johnson High School students pose with their rocket.

Filled with anticipation, students from three Huntsville area high schools: Randolph, Sparkman, and Johnson High Schools, counted down to launch the rockets they designed and built at the Army test site on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The projected two-mile high launch culminated more than a year's work and demonstrated the student team's ability to meet the challenge set by the Marshall Space Flight Center's (MSFC) Student Launch Initiative program to apply science and math to experience, judgment, and common sense, and proved to NASA officials that they have successfully built reusable launch vehicles (RLVs), another challenge set by NASA's SLI program. MSFC's SLI program is an educational effort that aims to motivate students to pursue careers in science, math, and engineering. It provides hands-on, practical aerospace experience. In this picture, a rocket built by Johnson High School students soars to it projected designation.