In 1961, Ed Dwight was on track to become the first Black astronaut. But despite his groundbreaking opportunity, he never made it to space. Now, at 90 years old, Dwight is set to finally achieve his dream, thanks to Blue Origin’s upcoming mission.
Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 for an Air Force training program designed to lead to NASA’s Astronaut Corps. When he received the invitation to be the first Black astronaut, he thought it was an April Fool’s joke.
After completing his training in 1963, Dwight was recommended by the Air Force for the astronaut corps, but he was ultimately not chosen. He transitioned to private life in 1966, feeling the sting of discrimination from his peers and leadership during his training.
Despite this setback, Dwight dedicated his life to creating powerful sculptures celebrating Black history. More than 130 of his works have been showcased in museums and public spaces.
Now, Dwight will join Blue Origin’s next flight to the edge of space, along with five other civilians. This flight, which will cost around $250,000 per seat, is part of Blue Origin’s mission to make space more accessible. The other passengers include venture capitalist Mason Angel, French brewery founder Sylvain Chiron, software engineer Kenneth L. Hess, retired CPA Carol Schaller, and pilot Gopi Thotakura.
With this mission, Dwight will join the ranks of notable space travelers, and his journey will serve as a poignant reminder of the progress made in space exploration and civil rights.
