Ed Dwight, First Black Astronaut Candidate, Finally Goes to Space at 90 with Blue Origin

Veteran pilot Ed Dwight, America’s first black astronaut candidate, finally reached space at the age of 90, aboard a Blue Origin capsule on Sunday. This historic moment comes after Dwight was initially considered for NASA’s astronaut corps in 1963 but was not selected. He experienced weightlessness alongside five other passengers during the 10-minute flight, describing it as a “life-changing experience.”

Dwight now holds the record as the oldest person to travel to space, surpassing “Star Trek” actor William Shatner’s previous record. The Blue Origin launch marked the company’s return to crewed flights after a two-year hiatus due to a booster accident in 2022.

Accompanied by four business entrepreneurs and a retired accountant, Dwight’s seat was partially sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity. Despite not being selected for NASA’s astronaut program in 1963, Dwight’s journey to space represents a significant milestone in his remarkable career.