Main content

Ed Dwight Jr: The first black astronaut who never flew

Ed Dwight Jr was picked by JFK's administration to become the first African-American astronaut. He speaks to Dotun Adebayo about his thoughts at the time and why it fell through.

In the autumn of 1962, US president John F Kennedy laid out his ambition for the USA to put the first man on the moon.

At the time, it seems, Kennedy already had in mind one particular individual who he wanted to be involved in what he described as "the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked".

His administration had handpicked a young aeronautical engineer and test pilot from the US Air Force named Ed Dwight Jr to become the first African-American astronaut.

Dotun Adebayo speaks to Dwight about his thoughts at the time, space exploration and why after Kennedy’s assassination, Dwight was unable to fulfil the president's ambition.

Available now

49 minutes

More episodes

See all episodes from 5 Live News Specials

Featured in...

  • Space

    Brian Cox, music from space films and landing on moon rocks

Podcast

  • 5 Live News Specials

    Showcasing Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 5 Live's news specials, including in-depth interviews.