Clark McClelland first met Dr. Wernher von Braun in 1959 and their paths crossed many times between then and 1966.  A friendship developed when both men were working on NASA’s Saturn 1 mission. Plus, they shared a deep interest in astronomy, space travel and life beyond Earth.

Their most private conversations often happened when Clark was co-hosting NASA award ceremonies at various Cocoa Beach hotels.  During those occasions, Dr. von Braun (WVB) would invite Clark to join him on his smoke breaks.  The two would seek out lounge chairs overlooking the ocean or the pool and away from other people. Below are revelations WVB made to Clark about Mars and extraterrestrials.