Trailblazer from the 1960s: First Black Astronaut to Head to Space

In 1961, Ed Dwight dreamt of becoming the first Black astronaut to travel to space. Unfortunately, his dream was never realized. Now, at the age of 90, Dwight is set to embark on a journey into Earth's atmosphere aboard Blue Origin's upcoming mission.

Initially chosen by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to participate in an Air Force training program that served as a pathway to NASA's Astronaut Corps, Dwight's hopes were high. Reflecting on that moment in 2022, Dwight shared with national correspondent Jericka Duncan, "When I received the letter in 1961 offering me the chance to be the first Black astronaut, I thought these guys were out of their minds."

Despite completing the program in 1963 and receiving a recommendation from the Air Force to join the corps, Dwight was not selected. Subsequently, he left the program in 1966 and returned to civilian life.

Throughout his training, Dwight experienced discrimination from his peers. "All the White individuals I interacted with, my fellow astronaut candidates, and the leadership, were appalled at the thought of me coming to Edwards and being appointed to the position by the president," Dwight recalled.

For more than six decades, Dwight's dream of traveling to space remained unfulfilled. However, he has now been chosen as one of the six civilians to journey to the edge of space on the upcoming Blue Origin flight in June.

Blue Origin, a company focused on space exploration founded by Jeff Bezos, has successfully launched 22 commercial flights into space. Among the notable passengers are Bezos himself, who was part of the groundbreaking inaugural flight, Michael Strahan, and William Shatner.

During a previous commercial flight, Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer, set the record as the oldest person to journey to space at 82 years old. Shatner, at 90 years old, then became the oldest person to venture into space.

Now, Dwight will share that distinction.

Following his training and departure from the Air Force, Dwight dedicated his life to crafting sculptures that celebrate prominent figures in Black history. Over 130 of his artworks have been displayed in museums and public spaces.

His seat on the Blue Origin flight, estimated to be worth $250,000, is sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity. This organization also supported Katya Echazarreta, a 26-year-old electrical engineer originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, who participated in Blue Origin's June 2022 mission, becoming the first Mexican-born American woman and one of the youngest women to journey to space.