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Three of the ‘Thirty-Five New Guys’

Ron McNair, guy Bluford and Fred Gregory
On January 16, 1978, NASA announces the first astronaut class in nine years, which included the first African Americans.

On January 16, 1978, NASA announces the first astronaut class in nine years. Dr. Ronald McNair, Guy Bluford and Fred Gregory were among those selected, the first African Americans in NASA’s astronaut program. The Astronaut Class of 1978, otherwise known as the “Thirty-Five New Guys,” was NASA’s first new group of astronauts since 1969. This, the eighth astronaut group, was the first to include not only African Americans, but also women and Asian Americans.

Learn more about the Astronaut Class of 1978: https://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/1978-astronaut-class

Image Credit: NASA