America's First Black Astronaut Candidate, Ed Dwight, Sets Record as the Oldest Person to Go to Space at Age 90

In an extraordinary milestone for both space exploration and personal perseverance, Ed Dwight, America's first Black astronaut candidate, has finally achieved his long-held dream of venturing into space. 

At the age of 90, Dwight soared into history aboard Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket, becoming the oldest person ever to travel to space. 

This achievement comes six decades after he was initially championed for NASA's early astronaut corps by President John F. Kennedy.

On a remarkable Sunday, Dwight, along with five other passengers, embarked on a brief yet profound journey aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule. 

Launching from West Texas, the mission allowed the crew to experience approximately ten minutes of weightlessness. 

For Dwight, the journey was transformative. "I thought I really didn't need this in my life," he admitted after exiting the capsule. "But now, I need it in my life. ... I am ecstatic."

Dwight's voyage breaks the record previously held by "Star Trek" actor William Shatner, who ventured into space at the age of 90 in 2021. 

This flight also marked Blue Origin's first crewed mission in nearly two years, following a 2022 booster accident. 

After resuming uncrewed flights in December of the previous year, the company has now successfully completed its seventh mission carrying space tourists.

Ed Dwight's journey to this historic moment is one of resilience and determination. An accomplished Air Force pilot in the early 1960s, Dwight was once seen as a promising candidate for NASA's astronaut program, with President Kennedy's direct support. 

However, despite his qualifications and Kennedy’s backing, he was not selected for the 1963 class of astronauts, which included notable figures such as Apollo 11 astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. 

NASA would not select its first Black astronauts until 1978, with Guion Bluford becoming the first African American in space in 1983.

Dwight's flight was part of Blue Origin's ongoing efforts to make space accessible to a broader range of people. 

Accompanying him were four business entrepreneurs from the US and France, as well as a retired accountant. While the ticket prices for the flight were not disclosed, Dwight's seat was partially sponsored by the nonprofit organization Space for Humanity.

After leaving the military in 1966, Dwight pursued a variety of career paths, including roles at IBM and running a construction company. 

In the late 1970s, he earned a master's degree in sculpture and has since become a dedicated artist, focusing on Black history. 

His works, including memorials and monuments, are displayed across the country and have even been sent into space.

Ed Dwight's story is a powerful testament to perseverance and the enduring human spirit. 

His journey from being overlooked in the early astronaut selections to becoming the oldest person to travel to space is a narrative of resilience, passion, and the relentless pursuit of dreams. 

As he looked back on his flight, Dwight's reflections encapsulated the profound impact of his experience: "I thought I really didn't need this in my life. But now, I need it in my life. ... I am ecstatic."

In celebrating Dwight's historic achievement, we are reminded of the boundless possibilities of space exploration and the importance of never giving up on our dreams. 

Ed Dwight's record-setting journey not only marks a personal triumph but also a significant milestone in the ongoing quest to make space a realm for all humanity.