In 1961, Ed Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy to be the first Black astronaut in space. Despite completing the Air Force training program, he faced discrimination among his peers and was not selected to join NASA’s Astronaut Corps. As a result, Dwight entered private life in 1966, putting his dream of going to space on hold for over 60 years. However, at 90 years old, he has been chosen to be one of the six civilians aboard Blue Origin’s upcoming mission into Earth’s atmosphere, finally giving him the opportunity to experience space.
Blue Origin, a space exploration company founded by Jeff Bezos, has successfully sent 22 commercial flights into the atmosphere, with notable passengers including Bezos himself, Michael Strahan, and William Shatner. Dwight will join the ranks of these famous individuals, becoming one of the oldest people to travel to space. His seat on the Blue Origin flight, which is believed to cost $250,000, is sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity, which aims to send citizens to space. The flight will take Dwight and the other passengers approximately 62 miles away from Earth for a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of space and Earth.
Following his leave from the Air Force, Dwight dedicated his life to creating sculptures that depict iconic figures in Black history. Over 130 pieces of his work have been exhibited in museums and installed in public spaces, showcasing his talent and commitment to preserving Black heritage. The opportunity to travel to space represents a culmination of Dwight’s lifelong dedication to exploration and innovation. He will be accompanied by five other individuals on the Blue Origin flight, including venture capitalist Mason Angel, French brewery founder Sylvain Chiron, software engineer Kenneth L. Hess, retired CPA Carol Schaller, and pilot and aviator Gopi Thotakura, each bringing their own unique perspectives to the mission.
Through his selection as one of the six civilians to travel to the edge of space, Ed Dwight’s dream of becoming an astronaut is finally being realized. Despite facing discrimination and setbacks in his pursuit of space exploration, Dwight’s perseverance and dedication have led him to this historic moment. As he joins the ranks of those who have ventured into the cosmos, Dwight’s journey serves as an inspiration to individuals from all backgrounds who dare to dream beyond the boundaries of Earth. His legacy as a trailblazer in the field of space exploration will endure, offering hope and encouragement to future generations of aspiring astronauts and explorers.
