Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket successfully launched on Sunday with six people on board, including 90-year-old Ed Dwight, who became the oldest person to go into space. This historic journey marked a significant moment for Dwight, who was originally selected by the Kennedy administration in 1961 to become the first black astronaut. Despite excelling in his training, Dwight was passed over due to political reasons after Kennedy's assassination.
It wasn't until 1983 that Guillaume Bluford became the first African-American in space, but Dwight's impact on the space program was profound. Many black astronauts credit him for paving the way for their own careers. Despite the setbacks, Dwight pursued a successful career as an Air Force pilot, IBM employee, construction company owner, restaurateur, and real estate developer. He also holds a master's degree in sculpting and has dedicated his life to depicting black history through art.
