Ed Dwight’s Journey to Space
Ed Dwight, a 90-year-old sculptor and former Air Force test pilot, fulfilled his dream of going to space on Sunday, May 19. This marked a significant moment in his life, around 60 years after he was denied the opportunity to become America’s first Black astronaut.
Background of Ed Dwight
In 1961, Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy as a candidate for NASA’s early astronaut corps. However, he was not chosen from the 1963 class, missing the chance to make history at that time.
It wasn’t until 1978 that the American space agency selected its first Black astronauts, with Guion Bluford becoming the first African American in space in 1983.
Space Journey with Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos’ space company launched the NS-25 mission from west Texas, where Dwight, accompanied by five other passengers, experienced a few minutes of weightlessness during the approximately 10-minute flight.
After landing, Dwight expressed his exhilaration, stating, “I thought I really didn’t need this in my life. But, now, I need it in my life…I am ecstatic.”
Setting Records
Although Dwight did not become the first Black astronaut, he set a new record as the world’s oldest person in space, surpassing William Shatner’s achievement. This flight also marked Blue Origin’s first crew launch in nearly two years.
Post-Retirement Life
After retiring from the US Air Force in 1966, Dwight pursued entrepreneurship before transitioning to a career as a sculptor. His journey to space was shared with four business entrepreneurs from the United States and France, as well as a retired accountant.
The nonprofit Space for Humanity partially sponsored Dwight’s seat for this remarkable space journey.
