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Ed Dwight was on course to become the first African American astronaut in 1961. He had a historic chance, but he was never able to reach space. Now, ninety years old, Dwight will soon fulfill his goal because of Blue Origin’s next mission.
President John F. Kennedy chose Dwight in 1961 to enrol in an Air Force training program that would prepare him for a career in NASA’s Astronaut Corps. He initially believed the invitation to become the first Black astronaut to be a practical joke.
Dwight was recommended by the Air Force for the astronaut corps after finishing his training in 1963, but he was ultimately passed up. In 1966, after experiencing discrimination from his peers and leadership during his training, he moved to a private life.
Dwight committed his life to making sculptures that honor Black history in spite of this setback. His artwork has been exhibited in over 130 institutions and public venues.
Dwight and five other individuals will now travel to the edge of space on Blue Origin’s next trip. This journey is a component of Blue Origin’s effort to provide accessibility to space, and each seat will cost about $250,000. Venture capitalist Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, the founder of a French brewery, software developer Kenneth L. Hess, retired CPA Carol Schaller, and pilot Gopi Thotakura are among the other passengers.
Dwight’s mission will make him a prominent space traveler and serve as a poignant reminder of the accomplishments accomplished in racial rights and space exploration.
