Guion Bluford – NASA Astronaut, Air Force Pilot and Aerospace Engineer

Guion Bluford is an unforgettable part of Black History, a name that will always be remembered in Aerospace. He was an American aerospace engineer, former NASA astronaut, retired United States Air Force officer, and Fighter pilot. He was an Air Force pilot in Vietnam before he joined NASA in the 1970s, where he became the first African American to travel into space. At his retirement, Bluforf had already spent a compilation of 688 hours in space after he completed three more NASA Missions. This achievement is a milestone in African-American History. Guion Bluford was born on the 22nd of November 1942 in Philadephia, Pennsylvania. His father was a mechanical engineer, and his mother was a special education teacher. It can be deduced that Bluford was born into a family where academic success is held in high regard and encouraged.

Bluford furthered his studies at Pennsylvania State Unversity, where he enrolled as a member of the U.S Airforce ROTC program and graduated with a degree in Aerospace engineering in 1964, after which he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Airforce. He enrolled in the Air Force Institute of Technology and got his M.S. and Ph.D. Degrees in Aerospace Engineering in 1974 and 1978, respectively. He went further academically to receive his M.B.A. degree in management from the University of
Houston.

After receiving his Air Force pilot wings, Bluford was assigned the 557th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. He flew 144 combat missions in Southeast Asia as an F4C fighter pilot; he later served in many capacities in the Airforce as a T-38 Instructor pilot, Deputy for Advanced Concepts in the Aeromechanics Division, and Branch Chief of the Aerodynamics and Airframe branch. In 1978, Bluford was part of the 35 people picked out of some 10,000 applicants to the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) space program, and he was officially designated as a NASA astronaut in August 1979. He made history on the 30th of August 1983, when he became the first African American to fly in space and the first to receive the U.S. Air Force command pilot astronaut wing. He also remained and became the first African American to return from space four consecutive times.

The job is so fantastic, you don’t need a hobby. The hobby is going to work.”

Guion Bluford

He retired from the U.S. Air Force and NASA in 1993 to become the General manager and Vice President of the Engineering Services Division of NYMA Inc. He also led the research support efforts in Satellite systems, Aero propulsion, advanced materials, and Microgravity, and in 2000, Guion Bluford became the Vice president of Microgravity R&D. Bluford is a man who wears many victorious hats, and his efforts have not gone down unrecognized. He has been awarded the Department of Defense Superior Service and Meritorious Service Medals, the Pennsylvania Distinguished Service Medal, the Air Force Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal, the NASA Distinguished Service and Exceptional Service Medals, the 1991 Black Engineer of the Year Award and fourteen honorary doctorate degrees. Guion Bluford’s legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments. His journey from a racially segregated society to the stars serves as a symbol of resilience and determination, making him an icon in African-American history. His life and career have paved the way for countless individuals who aspire to reach new heights, literally and figuratively.