Close Menu
  • Entertainment
  • Lifestyle
  • Relationships
  • Tips & Tricks
  • Celebrity Kids
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest Vimeo
GistFestGistFest
  • Entertainment

    Cause of Death Revealed for Kylie Jenner’s Hairstylist Jesús Guerrero

    June 5, 2025

    Taylor Swift Celebrates Masters Victory with Selena Gomez During NYC Dinner Night Out

    June 4, 2025

    JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Are Officially a Couple

    June 4, 2025

    Inside the Wedding Drama: Victoria Beckham’s Surprise Action Upset Nicola Peltz on Her Big Day

    June 3, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025
  • Lifestyle

    Cause of Death Revealed for Kylie Jenner’s Hairstylist Jesús Guerrero

    June 5, 2025

    Taylor Swift Celebrates Masters Victory with Selena Gomez During NYC Dinner Night Out

    June 4, 2025

    JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Are Officially a Couple

    June 4, 2025

    Inside the Wedding Drama: Victoria Beckham’s Surprise Action Upset Nicola Peltz on Her Big Day

    June 3, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025
  • Relationships

    Cause of Death Revealed for Kylie Jenner’s Hairstylist Jesús Guerrero

    June 5, 2025

    Taylor Swift Celebrates Masters Victory with Selena Gomez During NYC Dinner Night Out

    June 4, 2025

    JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Are Officially a Couple

    June 4, 2025

    Inside the Wedding Drama: Victoria Beckham’s Surprise Action Upset Nicola Peltz on Her Big Day

    June 3, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025
  • Tips & Tricks

    Cause of Death Revealed for Kylie Jenner’s Hairstylist Jesús Guerrero

    June 5, 2025

    Taylor Swift Celebrates Masters Victory with Selena Gomez During NYC Dinner Night Out

    June 4, 2025

    JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Are Officially a Couple

    June 4, 2025

    Inside the Wedding Drama: Victoria Beckham’s Surprise Action Upset Nicola Peltz on Her Big Day

    June 3, 2025

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025
  • Celebrity Kids

    Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

    June 2, 2025

    Meryl Streep’s Daughter Louisa Jacobson Shares Her and Partner, Anna Blundell’s Plans for Valentine’s Day

    February 14, 2025

    Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin’s Son’s Name Revealed

    January 12, 2025

    Travis Barker Daughter, Alabama Barker Hospitalized for Nicotine Withdrawal After Quitting Vaping

    January 2, 2025

    Who Are Madonna’s Children? Everything You Need To Know About Them

    December 10, 2024
Subscribe
GistFestGistFest
Home » Man Who Almost Became NASA’s First Black Astronaut in the ‘60s Recounts His Experience
General

Man Who Almost Became NASA’s First Black Astronaut in the ‘60s Recounts His Experience

SolomonBy SolomonFebruary 19, 20243 Mins Read
Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Reddit Telegram Email
ED Dwight
Source: AP Photo/Ed Andrieski,
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
Source: AP Photo/Ed Andrieski

A documentary delving into the untold story of Ed Dwight, a former Air Force pilot who trained to become the first Black astronaut two decades before Guion Bluford’s historic flight, sheds light on the complexities and challenges faced by African Americans in the space race.

Dwight, invited in 1961 to join the astronaut training program, initially hesitated due to the immense pressure and skepticism surrounding his potential success. Despite meeting rigorous standards set by military leaders, including Chuck Yeager, head of the test pilot school, Dwight faced significant opposition and isolation within the program.

The documentary, titled “The Space Race,” directed by Lisa Cortés, explores the political and social landscape of the time, revealing how figures like John F. Kennedy and Whitney Young of the National Urban League played pivotal roles in advocating for diversity within the astronaut corps as a means to challenge racial stereotypes.

However, Dwight’s aspirations were dashed when NASA announced its new crop of astronauts in 1963, none African American. This setback, coupled with the assassination of President Kennedy, led Dwight to resign from the military, disillusioned by the lack of progress and representation.

ALSO READ: NASA Announces New Moon Landing Attempt With IM-1 Mission

Despite his dreams of reaching the stars vanishing, Dwight found solace and success in a new career as a sculptor. He created bronze works honoring prominent African American figures such as Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks.

Decades later, Dwight’s story remains relatively unknown, underscoring the systemic barriers African Americans face in the aerospace industry. Even within the astronaut community, awareness of Dwight’s pioneering efforts was limited, as highlighted by retired astronaut Leland Melvin’s revelation that Dwight had to introduce himself at a retirement party attended by fellow astronauts unaware of his legacy.

POLL — Is Climate Change a Major Threat That Requires Immediate Policy Action?

The documentary also explores the broader context of diversity and representation in space exploration, touching on the achievements of Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez, the first person of African descent in space, sent by the Soviet Union in 1980. 

While the US lagged in this regard, the space shuttle era brought about a transformative shift within NASA, enabling the inclusion of engineers and scientists from diverse backgrounds.

ALSO READ: NASA Spots Football Stadium-Sized Asteroid Flying Toward Earth

Bluford, the first African American to travel to space in 1983, became a beacon of hope for future generations of Black astronauts. His commitment to ensuring that he was not the sole representative of his community in space reflects a shared desire among astronauts to establish a lasting legacy of inclusion and diversity within the astronaut corps.

As space tourism ventures like Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin make strides in opening up access to space for civilians, the documentary serves as a reminder of the long and arduous journey undertaken by pioneers like Ed Dwight, whose contributions paved the way for a more equitable and inclusive future in space exploration.

You Might Also Like:

“Feminists Until It’s Time to Split!” TikToker Fumes After Date Refused to Split Bills

Viral Taylor Swift Deepfakes Emphasize the Need for Legal Protection for Victims 

Snowstorm Hits Northeast, Causing Canceled Flights, Closed Schools, Blocked Roads

Astronomer Discovers a Mysterious World That Might Have a Volcanic Moon in the Universe

Oregon Officials Offer $50,000 for Information on Three Endangered Gray Wolves Found Dead

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Previous ArticleColombian Navy Intercepts Narco-Sub Carrying $27 Million Worth of Cocaine 
Next Article Police Detain Two Juveniles for Kansas City Shooting, Claim the Shooting Occurred From Private Dispute 

Related Posts

Entertainment

Justin Bieber Tweaks Instagram Post After Revealing Argument Amid Hailey’s Vogue Moment

May 26, 2025
Entertainment

Singer Chris Brown Arrested in the UK for an Alleged Assault Incident From 2023

May 20, 2025
General

Pastor TD Jakes Steps Down Months After Having a Heart Attack During Sermon

April 29, 2025
Latest Posts

Cause of Death Revealed for Kylie Jenner’s Hairstylist Jesús Guerrero

June 5, 2025

Taylor Swift Celebrates Masters Victory with Selena Gomez During NYC Dinner Night Out

June 4, 2025

JoJo Siwa and Chris Hughes Are Officially a Couple

June 4, 2025

Inside the Wedding Drama: Victoria Beckham’s Surprise Action Upset Nicola Peltz on Her Big Day

June 3, 2025

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s Divorce Timeline

June 2, 2025

Heidi Montag’s Wig at AMAs 2025 Sparks Online Criticism: Called ‘World’s Worst’ by Fans

May 30, 2025

JoJo Siwa, Chris Hughes Romance Gossip Debunked with Single-Word Comment

May 29, 2025

All You Need To Know About Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez’s Mega Summer Wedding

May 28, 2025
About
About

We’re a news, entertainment and lifestyle hub that is dedicated to giving you quality insight on the latest lifestyle news, movie and TV news, celebrity news and lots more.

Contact us: [email protected]

MOST POPULAR

Jennifer Rauchet: Inside the Life of Pete Hegseth’s Wife

August 30, 2023

Alina Nikitina: Everything We Know About the Russian Model

October 4, 2023

Amanda Kate Lambert: Meet Nancy Sinatra’s Daughter

August 30, 2023

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox!

Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
  • Disclaimer
  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contribute & Advertise with Us
© 2025 GistFest. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.