Former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, at 90 years old, became the oldest person to go to space when he joined five others on Blue Origin’s crewed spaceflight on May 19, 2024. The rocket, New Shepard, took off from Texas and landed back on Earth within 10 minutes. This marked the first manned spaceflight for Blue Origin in nearly two years. The cost of the spaceflight per person was not disclosed at the time. The capsule carrying the passengers landed safely despite only two of its three parachutes deploying.
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has flown a total of 37 people into space on its New Shepard rocket, including Ed Dwight. Dwight’s trip was sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity and the Jaison and Jamie Robinson Foundation. After decades of waiting, Dwight saw his space journey as a long-awaited opportunity that he believes should have happened sooner. He expressed that his entire life has been about accomplishing things, and going to space was a culmination of his efforts. In 1961, Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy to be the first Black astronaut candidate but never had the chance to fly.
Shortly before his return to Earth, Blue Origin shared a video highlighting Ed Dwight’s journey and noted that he was completing a mission that began 63 years ago. Dwight described his experience as “life-changing” and urged everyone to undergo a similar experience. He expressed his excitement and joy upon emerging from the capsule once it landed. Blue Origin shared updates and videos of the flight on social media, showcasing the passengers inside the capsule during their spaceflight, noting that they were “forever changed” by the experience. The post-flight interviews and statements from Dwight and Blue Origin emphasized the significance of the journey and its impact on Dwight’s life.
The spaceflight by Blue Origin on May 19, 2024, not only marked a milestone for the company but also made history with Ed Dwight becoming the oldest person to travel to space. Dwight’s lifelong dream of going to space was finally realized after being selected for a sponsored flight by two organizations. His journey was seen as a culmination of his achievements and a long-awaited experience that he felt should have happened sooner. Blue Origin highlighted Dwight’s journey in a video shared on social media, underscoring the significance of the mission that began over six decades ago when he was selected to be the first Black astronaut candidate by President Kennedy.
Overall, the successful spaceflight by Blue Origin on May 19, 2024, represented a significant achievement for the company and a historic moment for Ed Dwight, who became the oldest person to travel to space. The journey was sponsored by two organizations, fulfilling a lifelong dream for Dwight and culminating in a life-changing experience. Through post-flight interviews and social media updates, Blue Origin shared the impact of the spaceflight on the passengers and emphasized the transformative nature of the journey. Dwight’s long-awaited opportunity to go to space finally came to fruition, marking a milestone in his life and a memorable experience for all involved in the mission.
