An out-of-this-world experience is likely how Kansas City, Kansas, native Ed Dwight will remember his time in space.
“I enjoyed every minute of it,” he says.
On May 19, Dwight, a retired U.S. Air Force Captain who has flown 9,000 hours, made history by becoming, at age 90, the oldest living astronaut to blast off into space for a brief mission. He was one of six passengers on Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-25 that lifted off from West Texas.
“Being above the atmosphere and seeing what earth looked like from space was inspirational. I’m glad I did it,” he says.
The record-breaking occurrence was not his first time making history. In 1961, Dwight sealed his fate in American history when he became the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate. He was selected by President John F. Kennedy to enter the Air Force training program referred to as NASA’s Astronaut Corps. After Kennedy’s assassination though, Dwight’s dream of soaring into space stalled. Sixty years later, he says his trip to the final frontier was worth the wait.
“This was the only project I had undertaken in my life that didn’t get completed. I had to rationalize and tell myself that it didn’t need to get completed. As I got closer and closer to it, I realized I needed to complete it psychologically. It worked out for the best. It was fascinating, “ Dwight says.
A graduate of Bishop Ward High School, Dwight joined the U.S. Air Force in 1953. He graduated from Arizona State University with an undergraduate degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1957. Later, Dwight received his graduate degree in sculpture, a lifelong passion, from the University of Denver. After Air Force life, Dwight worked for IBM, opened barbecue restaurants, and owned construction and real estate companies.
In 1978, according to his personal website, his art career began. Since then, he has created 132 public art pieces and memorials around the country, including one at the Kansas City Museum. A weathervane was commissioned by the museum titled, The Loula Long Combs & Tom Bass Memorial Weathervane. The piece is in commemoration of the American Royal Horse Show, celebrating 125 years, of which Combs and Bass were part of, and it is on temporary display in Corinthian Hall. The permanent installation of the artwork will occur when the museum completes its entire restoration and renovation.
“I’ve been very lucky. It’s an artist’s dream to have your work recognized,” he says.
With history-defining achievements, Dwight is proud to be an example for others but is not certain he would classify himself as a champion of change.
“I don’t walk around thinking in my head I’m going to be a change agent for anything. I’ll let history decide if I was a change agent,” Dwight says.
All his life, Dwight has had to persevere. It’s that strength that he credits for his success. It is also the insight he imparts to others.
“No matter what the challenges are, you just keep on going,” Dwight says. “When you get mad, your brain stops. Show this world that you can do positive and good things.”