Ed Dwight, a former Air Force test pilot and NASA astronaut candidate, has made history by becoming the oldest person to travel to space. At 90 years old, Dwight was part of the six-person crew that flew on Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission on May 19, 2023. Dwight was selected for NASA training in 1961 but never got the chance to travel to space until this mission, more than 60 years later. Dwight’s participation in the mission was sponsored by Space for Humanity, a non-profit organization dedicated to sending a diverse range of people to space as citizen astronauts.
The NS-25 mission lifted off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas and traveled just past the edge of space, known as the Kármán line. Dwight and his fellow crew members experienced several minutes of weightlessness during the flight. After landing, Dwight expressed his excitement and awe, describing the experience as “fabulous” and “ecstatic.” He also emphasized the importance of space travel for everyone, saying, “Everybody needs to do this.”
The successful completion of the NS-25 mission marks another significant milestone in the growing commercial space industry. It demonstrates the increasing capabilities of private companies to conduct human spaceflights and opens up the possibility for more people to experience the wonders of space. This mission also highlights the value of diversity and inclusion in space exploration and serves as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts from all backgrounds.
