The V-2 rocket was a groundbreaking ballistic missile developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was the world's first long-range guided ballistic missile, designed to carry explosives and strike targets at great distances. The rocket was powered by a liquid-fuel engine and could reach altitudes of over 180 kilometers. The V-2 was a significant technological advancement, influencing future space exploration and missile development. After the war, many of its engineers, including Wernher von Braun, were brought to the United States, where they contributed to the American space program, including the development of the Saturn V rocket that took astronauts to the Moon.