Guy Bluford, First African American in Space: 40 Years of Inspiration | NASA Image and Video Library

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Guy Bluford, First African American in Space: 40 Years of Inspiration | NASA Image and Video Library

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Guy Bluford, First African American in Space: 40 Years of Inspiration
NASA ID: Guy Bluford, First African American in Space 40 Years of Inspiration
In 1983, NASA’s Guy Bluford broke barriers and made history as the first African American astronaut in space. Hear from Bluford himself, see footage from his Space Shuttle missions, and celebrate the milestones that forever changed the landscape of space exploration.

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.
Date Created:2023-08-30
Center:HQ
Keywords: NASA , Guy Bluford , First African American Astronaut in Space , Space Shuttle Missions , STS-8 , Kennedy Space Center , KSC , Challenger Orbiter , Indian National Satellite , INSAT-1B , RMS , Playload Flight Test Article , PFTA , Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System , CFES , Biophysiological Effects of Spaceflight , Gateway Special Canisters , Edwards Air Force Base