This image was part of a commission to illustrate the history of satellite technology. This picture tells the story of Von Braun’s V1 missile, which led to the development of later satellite-launching rockets.

The story:

Wernher von Braun joined Hermann Oberth’s rocket club, Verein für Raumschiffarht (Society for Space Travel) in 1930. His involvement led to his recruitment to the Nazi party as its 5,738,692th member. 

Von Braun, along with 80 fellow rocket engineers, worked on the regime’s programme to develop liquid-propelled rockets, including the V-2 or ‘Vergeltungswaffen’ (revenge weapon).  Hitler ordered 12,000 of them – the scale of his order required another facility and an army of workers. The answer was Mittelbau-Dora (see below), a Nazi slave labour camp. As many as 20,000 prisoners died there. 

The compound remained a secret until 1945, when both the American military and the Soviet Union raced to site in the hope of capturing von Braun and the V-2’s blueprints. The US lured von Braun to the west whereupon he worked for NASA on the Saturn V launch vehicle that boosted the Apollo spacecraft to the moon. 

Von Braun’s work with NASA earned him celebrity status and the German rocket engineer would even present programmes for Disney on space travel. But all the while von Braun’s Nazi past remained unknown. Until 1981 the US government classified the information. 

The contrast between the innocuous and the sinister is highlighted in this confusing, surreal image. The naked figures - innocent, heads tilted - wear Mickey Mouse ears but look outward to an image of utter destruction. 

Rachael Clegg's Limited Edition Art Prints have something of a cult following with collectors across the globe. Limited to edition runs of just 30, each print is signed and numbered by Rachael Clegg and comes with a certificate of authenticity and accompanying story text.

Images are printed on matt Photo Rag 308 gram/m² paper. Each print is carefully hand-rolled in craft paper and shipped in a rigid postal tube. Prices include worldwide shipping. Prints are available in three sizes:

Medium 50x40cm (approximate paper size) 
Large 81x64cm (approximate paper size) 
Extra Large 101x81cm (approximate paper size)

Framed options are also available. Images are dry-mounted behind art glass within a bespoke solid wood frame. Frames are available in either a black or white painted finish. These pieces are shipped in a robust crate.