The first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, were all male and white. In September 1961, Edward R. Murrow, then Director of the U.S. Information Agency, wrote to NASA administrator James Webb.

A press conference shown in “The Space Race” has reporters expecting to meet a Black astronaut. Instead, it was more of the same — white guys. No reason was given.

In the 1960s, Ed Dwight was set to become the first Black astronaut. But this didn’t come to pass, most likely due to racism and the loss of his champion after President Kennedy was assassinated ...

The first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, were all male and white. In September 1961, Edward R. Murrow, then Director of the U.S. Information Agency, wrote to NASA administrator James Webb.

The first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, were all male and White. When the Aerospace Research Pilot School was established that November, the White House urged the Air Force to select a Black officer.

The first astronauts, the Mercury Seven, were all male and white. When the Aerospace Research Pilot School was established that November, the White House urged the Air Force to select a Black officer.