Wernher von Braun explains the possibility to reach the Moon and Mars

"Man and the Moon", Dec. 28, 1955

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXIDFx74aSY

Von Braun's Ideas for a Mars Mission

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVPcRUUlov0

Much to the chagrin of NASA rocket scientist Dr. Wernher von Braun, President Nixon chose instead to greenlight the space shuttle program because it intrigued the military-industrial complex.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm9MYU3SwBA