The German V-2 rocket became the first man-made object to reach space, crossing the Kármán line in October 1944 during a test flight. Though a weapon of war, it was also a profound technological achievement that laid the groundwork for space exploration. The V-2 program, while destructive, provided invaluable data and experience that directly influenced the post-war space programs of the US and Soviet Union.

The V-2, as a weapon and a harbinger of spaceflight, was a potent symbol for poets and writers, representing both the destructive power of science and the potential for a new frontier beyond Earth. It was seen by many as a triumph of engineering that opened the door to a new age, but one born out of warfare. The image of the rocket piercing the sky was a powerful one in mid-20th century literature, representing both terror and transcendence.