posted 04-04-2006 11:41 AM               

It is always pleasing to hear from someone interested in the space program. I am sorry my writing is not to good any more, since I am almost blind. But to satisfy your request, I will give you a brief personal history.

I worked at Peenemünde to design the control system of the A4. Later I laid out the electrical system for the V-2 ground and airborne. Arrived at the States with the 55 specialists Nov 17, 45, designed the electrical system for all White Sands V-2 launches in the first 1 1/2 years.

Did all the electrical systems design for Redstone, Redstone AC, Mercury-Redstone, Jupiter, Persing. Was totally responsible for the entire ground and airborne electrical systems for the Apollo 100, 200 series, all Saturn V firings and Skylab after Apollo project.

Was chief engineer for the satellite series high energy astronomy observatory (HEAO). Worked as a consultant for the layout of the Spacelab. Electrical system with ESA in the Netherlands 1975/76. Introduced the automated, computerized checkout and firing sequence during the Saturn/Apollo program.

posted 03-18-2013 08:24 AM               

Fichtner was drafted into the German Army during World War II and was with von Braun in Germany when von Braun's team used forced prisoner labor to make V-2 rockets launched against Britain. Later, he surrendered with von Braun to the United States as a part of the famous rocket team code-named "Paperclip" by American authorities.

Once in America, Fichtner came with the team to Huntsville, where von Braun led development of the rockets that launched America's first satellites -- and later its world-famous astronauts -- into space. Fichtner's job was among the most critical. He oversaw Marshall Space Flight Center's development of the electrical system for the Saturn V moon rocket. Fichtner also developed the automated check-out system that allowed the miles of complex electronics to check themselves before each launch.