Guion Bluford

Space-shuttle astronaut; first African-American in space[9]

What is Guion Bluford known for?

Guion Stewart Bluford Jr., a renowned astronaut and the first African-American to reach space, was born on November 22, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As an alumnus of Overbrook High School, he embarked on an academic journey that led him to earn a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from Pennsylvania State University in 1964. Furthering his education, Bluford secured a Master's degree in 1974 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, both in Aerospace Engineering, from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1978. By 1987, he also held an MBA from the University of Houston–Clear Lake.

Bluford's illustrious career started as a fighter pilot and engineer. He soon rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Colonel in the United States Air Force (USAF). He boasts an impressive record of over 5,200 hours of jet flight time in various aircraft, including the T-33, T-37, T-38, F-4C, U-2/TR-1, and the F-5A/B. His dedication and skills even earned him an FAA commercial pilot license.

His journey into space started in January 1978 when he was selected as a NASA astronaut. He participated in four Space Shuttle flights between 1983 and 1992, making history in 1983 as the first African-American astronaut on the Space Shuttle's STS-8 mission. In his personal life, he values hobbies such as reading, swimming, jogging, racquetball, handball, scuba diving, and golf. Bluford has been married to Linda Tull since 1964, and they have two sons, Guion III and James.

Learn more about Guion Bluford's life and achievements at NASA's official biography and the Biography website.