Historic Space Mission: 90-Year-Old to Fulfill Lifelong Dream On Blue Origin's 25th Flight

Key Takeaways

• Blue Origin is preparing for its 25th space mission, with 90-year-old Ed Dwight as one of the crew members.
• JFK had chosen Dwight to be trained as the first Black astronaut in 1961, but he was ultimately passed over for the role.
• Dwight, now 90, will finally get the chance to fly to space more than 60 years after he was first selected as an astronaut trainee.
• Dwight's seat for the space mission is sponsored by Space for Humanity, a nonprofit organization aiming to increase space travel opportunities.
• Dwight was the only Black officer able to meet the criteria to become an astronaut, and his role as the first Black astronaut candidate was recognized in a 2023 National Geographic documentary.

News Content

Blue Origin is gearing up for its 25th mission to space with a six-member crew that includes 90-year-old Ed Dwight, who was initially chosen by JFK to be the first Black astronaut in 1961 but was later passed over. The crew will fly aboard the New Shepard rocket, and Dwight's seat is sponsored by the nonprofit organization Space for Humanity. Despite being passed over more than 60 years ago, Dwight will finally have the opportunity to fly to space.

Born in segregated Kansas in 1933, Dwight was selected by the Kennedy Administration in 1961 to train as an astronaut, despite initial hesitance. After not being chosen for NASA's program, he resigned from the Air Force and pursued a career as a sculptor. The documentary "The Space Race" by National Geographic in 2023 brought recognition to Dwight's forgotten role as the first Black astronaut candidate in US history.

This mission by Blue Origin represents a significant milestone for Dwight, providing him with the long-awaited opportunity to journey into space at the age of 90, fulfilling his decades-old aspiration that was initially unrealized.

Analysis

The inclusion of 90-year-old Ed Dwight in Blue Origin's 25th space mission is a result of increased attention to historical inequities. The direct cause is the efforts of nonprofit organizations like Space for Humanity to promote inclusivity in space travel. The long-term consequence is the reclamation of Dwight's legacy and recognition of overlooked pioneers in space exploration. This mission may inspire future generations to pursue space travel and contribute to the diversification of astronauts. However, the short-term impact is mainly symbolic, emphasizing the need for broader representation in the space industry. This landmark journey marks a significant step towards achieving equity and diversity in space exploration.

Do You Know?

• New Shepard Rocket: Blue Origin's spacecraft designed for suborbital space tourism and research flights, named after Alan Shepard, the first American to travel into space. The rocket is designed to carry crew and payloads on brief trips to space, with a capsule that detaches and returns to Earth separately from the rocket.
• Space for Humanity: A nonprofit organization that aims to make space more accessible and inclusive by sponsoring individuals from diverse backgrounds to experience space travel, promoting the idea of "space for all."
• Ed Dwight: A prominent figure in space history as the first Black astronaut candidate in US history, initially chosen by President Kennedy in 1961. After facing discrimination and not being selected for NASA's program, Dwight pursued other career opportunities and gained recognition years later through the documentary "The Space Race" by National Geographic in 2023.