I Aim at the Stars

The film begins in the early 1920s and follows von Braun’s trajectory through the 1930s, World War II, and into the late 1950s. It frames the rise of rocketry against shifting political contexts—from Weimar-era curiosity to Nazi militarization, and finally to American space development. The final act culminates with Explorer 1’s launch in January 1958, marking the dawn of the space age within a broader historical arc.

The story moves from 1920s–30s Germany, where von Braun’s early experiments unfold at the Space Rocket Society, through the Nazi era’s rocket program, and into the postwar United States. Key testing sites include White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico and Redstone Arsenal in Alabama, reflecting the global journey of rocket science.

⚖️ Ethics

The film grapples with the moral cost of scientific progress, showing how a gifted engineer navigates the lure of discovery against the harm caused by weaponization. It foregrounds ethical dilemmas as von Braun weighs conquest of space against the human toll of war. Reger and others embody the institutional pressures that push science toward military applications. The narrative invites viewers to reflect on whether ambition can be reconciled with accountability.

🚀 Ambition

A drive to reach the stars pushes the characters across continents, from German laboratories to American launch facilities, underscoring the international nature of rocket science. The pursuit of progress is shown alongside political and military considerations that shape the path of innovation. The film presents ambition as both inspiring and morally fraught. It traces a global movement of ideas that blurs national boundaries in the name of discovery.

🕊️ Consequences

The paradox of aiming for space while weaponizing knowledge is central to the story. It highlights the cost of war-era science and the human consequences that often remain in the shadows. The film makes a deliberate choice to omit the brutal use of concentration camp slave labour, inviting discussion about what the narrative chooses not to show. The silence around these crimes serves as a commentary on memory and responsibility.