Ed Dwight, America's First Black Astronaut Candidate, Becomes Oldest Person to Reach Space at Age 90

Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate in America, finally went to space after 60 years with Jeff Bezos' rocket company, Blue Origin. He is now 90 years old. Dwight, who was an Air Force pilot, was supported by President John F. Kennedy to become a NASA astronaut, but he was not chosen in 1963. Dwight flew into space with five other passengers on a Blue Origin capsule for about 10 minutes. He experienced a few minutes of weightlessness during the flight. This was Blue Origin's first crew launch in almost two years. The ticket prices for the passengers were not revealed, and Dwight's seat was partly sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity. NASA did not select Black astronauts until 1978, and the first African American in space was Guion Bluford in 1983. After leaving the military in 1966, Dwight worked at IBM, started a construction company, and later earned a master's degree in sculpture. He now focuses on creating sculptures related to Black history, with his work displayed in memorials and monuments across the US. Ed Dwight, at 90 years old, became the oldest person to go to space with Blue Origin. He had been waiting for this opportunity for many years. NBC News' Marissa Parra shared more about Dwight's thoughts on this life-changing experience on May 19, 2024.