Guion Stewart Bluford Jr. (born November 22, 1942) is an American aerospace engineer, retired United States Air Force (USAF) officer and fighter pilot, and former NASA astronaut, in which capacity he became the first African American to go to space. [1][2][a] While assigned to NASA, he remained a USAF officer rising to the rank of colonel.

Apr 2, 2014 · Guion S. Bluford was a decorated Air Force pilot in Vietnam before joining NASA in the late 1970s. In 1983, he became the first African American to travel into space when he served as a mission...

Oct 2, 2023 · Guion Bluford was chosen as a NASA astronaut candidate in January 1978 and became NASA’s first Black astronaut in August 1983 with the launch of STS-8. A veteran of four space flights, Bluford served as a mission specialist on STS-8, STS 61-A, STS-39, and STS-53.

Feb 14, 2025 · Guion Bluford, astronaut who was the first African American launched into space, on the STS-8 mission in 1983. Bluford became an astronaut in 1978. On four spaceflights, Bluford served as a mission specialist and spent more than 28 days in space.

May 9, 2013 · NASA astronaut, aerospace engineer, military officer, and senior engineering executive, Guion S. Bluford Jr. was born on November 22, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the eldest of three sons of Guion Bluford, Sr., a mechanical engineer, and Lolita Bluford, a special education teacher.

Dr. Guion “Guy” S. Bluford Jr. (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) was the first African American to fly in space. He was also the first African American to return to space a second, third and fourth time.

GUION S. BLUFORD, JR. PH.D (COLONEL, USAF, RET.) NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER) PERSONAL DATA: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 22, 1942. Married to the former Linda Tull of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They have two grown children. Hobbies include reading, swimming, jogging, racquetball, handball, scuba diving and golf.

Aug 30, 2016 · Portrait of Guion “Guy” Bluford. Before joining NASA’s astronaut corps program, Bluford served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew 144 combat missions during the Vietnam War. Following his wartime service, he earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1974, followed by a doctorate in aerospace engineering in 1978.

Feb 26, 2009 · Guy Bluford, a member of the SDS-8 space shuttle Challenger crew in 1983, was the first African American in space. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bluford was interested in math and science and knew he wanted to work in aerospace engineering before …

Guion “Guy” S. Bluford Jr. Started college at Penn State and holds a Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate in aerospace engineering. Joined the United States Air Force where he earned his pilot’s wings, commercial pilot’s license, and went to F4C combat training.