Unfortunately, Dwight was passed overa choicemany attributeto racism and the politics of the time.
Now, over 60 years later, Dwight’s dream has come true.
At 90 years of age, he has become the oldest person to ever travel to space.
Photo: IMS Vintage Photos viaWikimedia Commons(Public domain)
Dwight flew aboard the Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.
Reaching more than 347,000 feet, he experienced a 10-minute suborbital flight, including some moments of weightlessness.
The former Air Force pilot was part of Blue Origin’s 25th mission and seventh human spaceflight.
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Armando A. Schwier-Morales viaWikimedia Commons(Public domain)
After landing, Dwight emerged with his fists in the air and said, Long time coming.
A few minutes later, hedescribed the experienceto the press as: Fantastic!
Everyone needs to do this!
The experience was so thrilling that it left him wanting more.
I want to go into orbit.
I want to go around the Earth and see the whole Earth.
That’s what I want to do now, he said.
Despite his past setbacks, Dwight did go on to have a successful career in other areas.
After leaving the Air Force in 1966, he became a restaurateur and a real estate developer.
He later became a celebrated sculptor whose works are inspired by prominent Black historical figures.
My whole life has been about getting things done.
This is the culmination.
Photo: U.S. Air Force photo by Tech.
