V2, or the V-2 rocket, was a groundbreaking ballistic missile developed by Germany during World War II. It was the world's first long-range guided ballistic missile and was designed by a team led by engineer Wernher von Braun. The V2 was powered by a liquid-fuel engine and could reach altitudes of over 180 kilometers, making it capable of striking targets far from its launch site. The V2 rocket was used primarily against Allied cities, causing significant destruction and loss of life. After the war, the technology behind the V2 influenced the development of future space exploration and missile systems, laying the groundwork for modern rocketry.