Following his completion of the experimental test pilot course, Dwight aerospace research pilot training, while he completed training to become an astronaut.

In 1961, President Kennedy selected Dwight to enter training as an experimental test pilot, in preparation for a flight to space as America’s first African-American astronaut.

At a time when the Soviet Union was beating the United States in the space race, the young jet pilot represented a chance for the United Sates to win a much-needed ground-breaking flight.

“Facing severe discrimination from other astronauts, Dwight persevered until President Kennedy’s death, when government officials created a threatening atmosphere.

On August 30, 1983, Guion Bluford became the first African-American to reach space, flying aboard the space shuttle Challenger.