May 20th 2024.
At the age of 90, Ed Dwight has achieved a lifelong dream that was initially put on hold over 60 years ago. As a young man, he had been selected as America's first Black astronaut candidate under President John F. Kennedy, but it wasn't until May 19, 2021 that he finally made it to outer space. This makes him the oldest person to ever do so, an incredible feat that has left him feeling ecstatic.
Dwight's journey to space was made possible by Jeff Bezos' space company, Blue Origin, who selected him to be a part of their six-person crew. The spaceship launched from West Texas and reached the edge of space, marking Blue Origin's first flight since their suborbital New Shepard rocket was grounded in 2022. For Dwight, this was a long-awaited opportunity, as he had been recommended for NASA's early astronaut corps by Kennedy and the U.S. Air Force, but was denied due to NASA's lack of acceptance for Black astronauts at the time.
While Kennedy's support and recommendation were a significant milestone, it wasn't until 1978 that NASA finally started accepting Black astronauts. Guion Bluford became the first African American in space in 1983, and the Soviets launched the first Black astronaut, Arnaldo Tamayo Mendez, in 1980. Despite the delay, Dwight was determined to pursue his passion for space and continued to serve in the military until 1966. He then went on to work for IBM and even launched his own construction company.
In 1970, Dwight earned a master's degree in sculpting and used his talent to create pieces that focused on Black history, serving as memorials and monuments across the country. Some of his pieces even had the chance to fly into space before he did, a touching reminder of his determination to reach the stars. As he embarked on the 10-minute flight with Blue Origin, Dwight knew that this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and he made the most of it by experiencing weightlessness and admiring the view of Earth from space.
As he exited the rocket, Dwight couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming, "I thought I really didn't need this in my life, but now, I need it in my life... I am ecstatic." This incredible experience also helped him break Star Trek actor William Shatner's record as the oldest person in space, a title he proudly holds. Dwight was joined by four business entrepreneurs from the U.S. and France, as well as a retired accountant who had paid to be a part of the historic flight. Dwight's seat was sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity, an organization that aims to make space more accessible to everyone.
Although Dwight's journey to space took longer than expected, he never gave up on his dream. His determination and perseverance have now made him a part of history, and his inspiring story will continue to inspire future generations.
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