Veteran NASA Astronaut Guy Bluford—First African American in Space

Veteran NASA Astronaut Guy Bluford—First African American in Space

NASA Astronaut Guion S. Bluford, Mission Specialist (09-20-1978)

NASA Astronaut Guion S. Bluford, mission specialist for STS-39, wearing an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) spacesuit, is lowered by a hoist device prior to participating in an underwater rehearsal of a contingency EVA. The scene is in the Johnson Space Center's weightless environment training facility (WET-F) which houses a 25-ft. deep pool (visible in background). (07-19-1990)

The STS-8 crew poses at Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) during a session with the news media. From left to right are Astronauts Dale A. Gardner, Guion S. Bluford, and Dr. William E. Thornton, all mission specialists; Daniel C. Brandenstein, pilot; and Richard F. Truly, crew commander. (08-15-1983)

Guy Bluford, the first African-American astronaut, launched into space on shuttle Challenger's STS-8 mission on August 30, 1983.

Astronaut Michael L. Coats (right) addresses the news media after arriving at the Shuttle Landing Facility along with his six fellow crewmembers. From left are astronauts Richard J. Hieb, L. Blaine Hammond, Guion S. Bluford, Charles L. (Lacy) Veach, Gregory J. Harbaugh and Donald R. McMonagle. The Space Shuttle mate/demate stand is seen in the background.

(05-06-1991)

This 1985 international space shuttle Challenger crew represented the largest number of persons (eight) to occupy an orbiting spacecraft at the same time. Posing with the mission insignia are (front row, left to right) Reinhard Furrer, German payload specialist; Bonnie J. Dunbar, mission specialist; James F. Buchli, mission specialist; and Henry W. Hartsfield Jr., commander; and (back row, left to right) Steven R. Nagel, pilot; Guion S. Bluford, mission specialist; Ernst Messerschmid, German payload specialist; and Wubbo J. Ockels, Dutch payload specialist. (09-23-1985)

These five astronauts were assigned to fly aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in December 1992.  Pictured are, left to right (front), Guion S. Bluford and James S. Voss, mission specialists; and (back row) David M. Walker, mission commander; Robert D. Cabana, pilot and Michael R. U. (Rich) Clifford, mission specialist. The photograph was made in the new Space Center Houston (SCH) facility. (12-09-1992)

Official Portrait of NASA Astronaut Guion S. Bluford

(Oct. 23, 1992)

Over 40 Years of Inspiration: In 1983, NASA’s Guy Bluford broke barriers and made history as the first African American astronaut in space. He was a veteran of four Space Shuttle missions between 1983 and 1992.

Bluford’s first mission was STS-8, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Aug. 30, 1983. This was the third flight for the Challenger orbiter, and the first mission with a night launch and night landing. During the mission, the STS-8 crew deployed the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-1B), operated the Canadian-built RMS with the Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA), operated the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES) with live cell samples, 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 Sept. 5, 1983.

Learn more about NASA Astronaut Guy Bluford: 

https://www.nasa.gov/subject/11054/guy-bluford/

NASA Astronaut Guy Bluford Official Biography (PDF)

https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/bluford_guion.pdf

Image Credit: NASA's Johnson Space Center (JSC)

Image Dates: 1978-1992

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