The First African American to Fly in Space: Guion Bluford Launches from NASA's Kennedy Space Center

Tuesday - September 5 2023, 16:02 UTC - 1 year ago

In 1983, Guion Bluford became the first African American to fly in space, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The STS-8 mission which followed was the sixth flight of the Space Shuttle program - it lasted for 145 hours with 98 orbits of the Earth before landing on September 5, 1983. The mission deployed the first Indian National Satellite, operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System, conducted medical measurements to understand biophysiological effects of spaceflight, and activated four "Getaway Special" canisters. Bluford's career was an exemplar of determination and courage, paving the way for future generations and symbolizing a huge stride forward for the civil rights movement.

In this 40-year-old image from September 5, 1983, Guion "Guy" Bluford checks out the sample pump on the continuous flow electrophoresis system (CFES) experiment in the middeck of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger.

Just over forty years ago, on August 30, 1983, he launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, becoming the first African American to fly in space. Bluford was a member of NASA’s "Thirty-Five New Guys" – the 1978 astronaut class, which had the first African American, the first Asian American, and the first women astronauts.

During the STS-8 mission, the crew deployed the Indian National Satellite INSAT-1B, operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System with the Payload Flight Test Article, operated the CFES, conducted medical measurements to understand biophysiological effects of spaceflight, and activated four "Getaway Special" canisters. STS-8 completed 98 orbits of the Earth in 145 hours before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 5, 1983.

The mission symbolized a huge stride forward for the civil rights movement – Bluford was the first African American to set foot in space. His bravery and dedication paved the way for subsequent generations and communities which had previously lacked representation in space-related fields. It was a tremendous milestone for African Americans in the United States and throughout the world, inspiring hope and opportunity for generations to come.

Bluford’s career was clear example of determination and courage that left an indelible mark on space exploration. His spaceflight made the impossible become possible, bridging a gap and leading to the first time an African American has ever set foot in space. Not even 40 years old, Bluford’s success serves as an example for everyone – it exemplifies the power of resilience in the face of impossible odds.