2024-10-07
40 分钟In May 2024, 90-year-old Ed Dwight Jr. from Kansas City, Missouri travelled to the edge of space – he was an honoured guest in the Blue Origin rocket. His trip was 60 years overdue. Ed had been chosen by President John F Kennedy to be the first African-American astronaut at a time when racism was rife and segregation a reality. But JFK’s plans for Ed were scuppered – and Ed had to pick himself up and build a whole new career. Please be aware that this episode contains outdated racial language that may offend. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Get in touch: liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784
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It was an emotional experience.
The launch itself, you know, having a rocket below you that sounded like it exploded rather than just lit up.
I'm up there in that capsule and right below me with this giant explosion, and it scared the living hell out of it.
It scared the living hell out of everybody.
And then when the, when the, the booster separates from the capsule, the explosive bolt was right underneath my seat.
There are two explosive bolts that blow up that separate the capsule from the booster.
And I said, oh, this is how it feels.
Ed Dwight had waited a very long time for that feeling, the feeling of being blasted into space.
In May 2024, at the age of 90, he became the oldest person to travel to the edge of space as an honored guest in the Blue Origin rocket.
If JFK had had his way, Ed would have set a different record as the first African American astronaut.
But the times and a bullet were against them.
This is Lives Less Ordinary from the BBC World Service.
Hello, I'm Joe Fidgen.