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Guion Bluford

Selected as part of NASA’s eighth class of astronauts in 1978, Guion “Guy” Bluford became NASA’s first African-American astronaut to go to space with his launch on STS-8 on August 30, 1983.

Quick Facts

Bluford’s first mission was STS-8, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983.

Bluford’s first mission was STS-8, which launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983.

With the completion of his fourth flight, Bluford has logged over 688 hours in space.

With the completion of his fourth flight, Bluford has logged over 688 hours in space.

Bluford has an FAA commercial pilot license and is a certified scuba diver with over 50 open water dives.

Bluford has an FAA commercial pilot license and is a certified scuba diver with over 50 open water dives.

Guy Bluford on STS-8 poses with a Air Force bumper ssticker — On the forward flight deck of Space Shuttle Challenger, STS-8 Mission Specialist Guion “Guy” S. Bluford sits in the commander’s seat showing a U.S. Air Force decal. Selected as part of NASA’s Astronaut Group 8 in January 1978, Bluford remained in the U.S. Air Force throughout his career at NASA, rising to the rank of colonel. STS-8 was his first of four shuttle flights to space.
NASA

Guy Bluford and his STS-8 crewmembers train for their flight in a simulator. — S83-33032 (23 May 1983) — Astronauts Guion S. Bluford, right, and Daniel C. Brandenstein man their respective Challenger entry and ascent stations in the Shuttle Mission Simulator (SMS) at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) during a training session for the STS-8 mission. Brandenstein is in the pilot’s station, while Bluford, a mission specialist, occupies one of the two aft flight deck seats. Both are wearing civilian clothes for this training exercise. This motion based simulator represents the scene of a great deal of training and simulation activity, leading up to crew preparedness for Space Transportation System (STS) mission. Photo credt: NASA/Otis Imboden, National Geographic

Guy Bluford holds a camera to capture a scene outside the Space Shuttle window — STS053-01-034 (2-9 Dec 1992) — From the Space Shuttle Discovery’s aft flight deck, astronaut Guion S. Bluford, mission specialist, uses a handheld 70mm Hasselblad to photograph a point on Earth. Bluford was joined by four other NASA astronauts for the eight-day mission in Earth-orbit, dedicated to the Department of Defense (DOD).

Astronaut Guion Bluford on the space shuttle flight deck

Biography

Guion Bluford

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.

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Portrait of Astronaut Guion Bluford

Astronaut Guion S. Bluford Jr.

NASA

Featured Story

Celebrating Guy Bluford’s Historic First Flight

Guy Bluford, the first African-American astronaut, launched into space on shuttle Challenger's STS-8 mission thirty-five years ago, on August 30,…

All Crewed Missions

STS-8

STS-8 carried Guion Bluford who became the first African-American to fly in space. INSAT-1B, a multipurpose satellite for India which was attached to the Payload Assist Module-D (PAM-D) motor, was…

All Crewed Missions

STS-61A

Mission Facts Mission: D-1 Spacelab Mission (First German Dedicated Spacelab)Space Shuttle: ChallengerLaunch Pad: 39ALaunch Weight: 243,762 poundsLaunched: October 30, 1985, 12:00:00 p.m. ESTLanding Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.Landing: November…

All Crewed Missions

STS-39

STS-39 was dedicated to the Department of Defense

May 06, 1991 09:56 UTC

All Crewed Missions

STS-53

A classified Department of Defense primary payload, plus two unclassified secondary payloads and nine unclassified middeck experiments.

Dec 09, 1992 12:43 UTC

Featured Video

Guy Bluford Reflects on His First Spaceflight

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Former Astronaut Guion Bluford

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Featured Story

Honoring African Americans in Space

In honor of Black History Month, we recognize the contributions of African Americans to our nation’s space programs. Prior to…

NASA History

Oral History

Guy Bluford participated in an oral history interview in August 2004 and discussed his career prior to being chosen as a NASA astronaut, as well as his experience in the Shuttle program.

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Astronaut Guion Bluford in his blue astronaut jumpsuit with a model of the space shuttle and NASA's flag in the background.

S78-35290 (31 Jan. 1978) — Astronaut Guion S. Bluford, mission specialist.

NASA

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