Soaring quietly into history: the first African American in Space

In the run-up to the August 30 significant anniversary American history can be obtained almost unnoticed, just as it did almost 27 years ago. Two months after Sally k. Ride rode to history as the first American woman in space were born in the African American shy Philadelphia also flew on the space shuttle to the history of the next. The media, although the journal covers celebrated the first American woman in space with fanfare, but compared to the next milestone status milestone received little attention. Taking account of his quiet and humble demeanor this can is suitable only for the amount of the fine. Who is this, you can ask? Colonel (Guy) Guion s. Bluford, Jr., the first African American in space.

Guy Bluford with STS-8 mission Crew, Challenger (1983)

The spotlight was the Bluford, their willingness to enter into a 40-year-old air force officer Aerospace Engineering Dr. His aim was not to become the first African American in space, but simply fly to State, do not his work and return safely. The high growth and middle class household for educated parents with the 1950s and 1960s, he was raised to believe that he could do anything he wanted his race.His mother was a teacher and his father at the same time enjoy a mechanical engineer by training. mathematics and natural sciences, he was still in school work. Ignoring his high school advisor for advice on trade or skill level, to earn in 1964 his degree in Aerospace Engineering, INTEGRATING RISK, Penn State University college CatGenie Cartridge Bluford, respectively.

in the 1960s was the Vietnam war and civil unrest; civil rights movement in the middle of the hotbed, but Guy Bluford does not appear in the color of his skin as an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of his life. Always take all things aviation love, he will reach his lifelong dream to become the leader and his wings have been provided for the air force in 1966.Bluford went to Vietnam and flew combat 144. He logged on to 5,200 hours, testing an assortment of aircraft the f-4 C jet fighter (very similar to that of the F-4S Udvar Hazy Center view), such as the F 15 U-2/TR-1 (equivalent to a view at the National Mall Building U-2 c) and (f)-5/B, of the one part, and the T-33, 37 and t-38 trainers. 557Th Tactical Fighter Squadron, he came Home in the heart of the city as a member of the medals. After the United States on his return he went back to school, earning his doctorate, masters and aerospace Engineering at the air force Institute of Technology.

In 1977 Bluford applies for astronaut corps and he was almost a floating from the applicant in 1978 35 candidates. New astronauts were two other African-Americans, Dr. Ronald e. McNair and Lt. Colonel Fredrick d. Gregory six women, including Sally Ride.Three African Americans, as well as the Bluford knew, had the opportunity, he would first mode, but never make that his objective.He said, "all of us knew that we finally step to that role. probably told people that probably prefer not to that role. I figured no 2 guy has is likely to be much more fun ecause. "

Guy Bluford as the new astronaut

Historically, the astronauts were selected from a pool of white man's test pilots.NASA's inclusion of scientists, engineers and doctors for the selection of shuttle operations open multiple different astronaut-corps way to attract a qualified majority on a proposal from women and minorities.Bluford joined the crew of STS-8 mission specialist (scientist astronaut) change in front of the public continue to NASA.He reserved the same seat behind the pilot, as Sally Ride. his work was communications-weather-satellite Award for the biomedical testing, and test the shuttle 50 m automatic arm.

His modesty, regardless of his position, a pioneer in Bluford accepted the importance of 30.August 1983, Guy Bluford joined the ranks of other prominent African American aviators: Bessie Coleman Eugene Bullard, Chauncey Spencer and Alfred Anderson. he flew three more shuttle missions, 1985, 1991 and 1992 expenditure almost 800 hours in space After from air force retirement. and from NASA, Bluford has been the coach of the company's industry-leading design and aerospace companies. his first flight after thirteen African Americans have become astronauts, including the first African American woman in space Mae c. Jemison.

Commander Richard truly and mission Specialist Guy Bluford asleep is Challenger middeck, STS-8 mission.

Despite the historical 1983 Bluford is muted, press coverage of NASA and the media was a very substantial gender and barriers to competition in 1978, which passes through the imposition of a new category to the astronauts. so that these coins in this achievement, their own flight suits and stand-by-side in the National Air and Space Museum Sally Ride and Guy Bluford mannequins.

Vickie Lindsey is a summer intern in Space history.