V-2

The world's first operational ballistic missile, Nazi Germany launched large numbers of V-2 (short for "Vengeance Weapon 2" (German: Vergeltungswaffe 2) against targets in Western Europe, especially Britain. While it demonstrated many advances in technology, and indeed was conceived as a space launch vehicle by its designer, Wernher von Braun, it was too inaccurate, with a high-explosive warhead, to be more than a psychological weapon.

In modern terminology, it was a short-range ballistic missile, with a payload of 1 metric ton and a range of 240 kilometers/150 miles. It could send 1,000 kilograms (1 ton) of explosives more than 240 kilometers (150 miles) down range in five minutes.

Its liquid-fueled rocket engine powered it for approximately a minute, with stabilization and some control from aerodynamic fins. Once the engine stopped, the missile followed a parabolic trajectory, entering the edge of space, and then turning earthwards and falling due to gravity.

The Soviet SS-1 SCUD is, in most respects, a copy of the V-2, but made up for inaccuracy by using a nuclear warhead.