Compelling Documentary On NASA's First Black Male Astronauts Hits Disney

Directing duo Lisa Cortés and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza teamed up to reveal the 60-year-old untold backstory of the first Black astronauts in the National Geographic documentary, The Space  Race. With compelling interviews that share the challenges and triumphs of the scientists who broke the glass ceiling for Black astronauts, one might wonder how these stories went unheard for so long.  

The film brilliantly narrates the incredible yet overlooked contributions of Black astronauts to the space race. The pioneering individuals highlight their challenges and triumphs in breaking through the barrier of racial discrimination in the space industry during the mid-20th century.  Filled to the brim with little-known facts that are sure to raise a brow in shock. It underlines the indelible impact of space exploration through the lens of illustrated recollections, personal memories, interviews, and stories from many including Ed Dwight, Guion Bluford, Ron McNair,  Charles Bolden, and Fredrick Gregory. Their stories are heart-tugging, colored with emotion and humor.  

Astronaut Guion Bluford onboard STS-8. (credit: NASA)

Some astronaut’s stories were never meant to be heard, as their missions and assignments were marked as unclassified. This is just one example that speaks to the challenges of being Black in multiple spaces. The astronauts even spoke of carrying the burden of being the ‘first to do’ a thing, as a Black person, in a predominantly white space. There is an unspoken weight of being the best to ever do it, at all times. For fear that another African American would never get the chance to be a second or third if the first didn’t outperform all others. There is also an unspoken friendship in the face of competition. They say it was never mentioned between them or on the forefront of their minds, but Guion Bluford, Ron McNair, Charles Bolden, and Fredrick  Gregory would compete with one another to become the first African American to reach space.  Their stories intertwine through significant moments in history as well as the everyday life of navigating NASA while Black.  

The film also examines Afrofuturism – a movement in literature, music, art, etc., that not only featured futuristic or science fiction themes, it birthed a space for Black people to envision themselves in such spaces. This fusion of Black culture, Black history, and space would give Black people permission to dare to dream and see themselves in space, and in the real world. From Earth,  Wind, and Fire to Octavia Butler’s non-fiction, sci-fi works, to Nichelle Nichol’s role as Uhura in  “Star Trek”. Nichol’s role onscreen lent itself directly to her work off-air for NASA, as a  spokesperson for recruiting Black people and women into its space program.  

Ed Dwight, later labeled a Space Pioneer, anchored the film’s timeline. His lens is that of a  hopeful astronaut, selected as a political nominee during the Kennedy administration to be  “the first negro in space,” in the 1960. Kennedy knew that this move would sway the Black vote. Ed Dwight would struggle to find acceptance among Black organizations and audiences – seen as the poster child and sellout – as well as among white peers and superiors.  After Kennedy’s assassination, Dwight uncertain of his future, was removed from his position and returned home. He recalls being told by many – both supporters and naysayers alike, that he was just 20 years ahead of his time. Ironically, it would be 20 years until the first Black astronaut would make it to space.  

Ed Dwight sits down for an interview in Denver. (credit: National Geographic/Ryan Dearth)

Ed’s impressive resume lists all of his titles including Air Force Test Pilot, America’s First African American Astronaut Candidate, IBM Computer Systems Engineer, Aviation Consultant,  Restaurateur, Real Estate Developer, and Construction Entrepreneur. He describes himself as a Renaissance man. While he didn’t obtain his ultimate goal, Dwight would still manage to become a well-known name as one of the most creative and perceptive sculptors in America. 

Guion Bluford would ultimately become the first African American to go to space, with Ron  McNair becoming the second but ultimately perishing during the launch of The Challenger in  1986. Charles Bolden would fly on four Space Shuttle Missions during his career, logging over  680 hours in space. His tear-evoking recollection of the failed launch of the Challenger through the perspective of losing his friend and inspiration, Ronald McNair is simultaneously heartbreaking and inspiring. Fredrick Gregory would go on to serve as the first African-American deputy administrator at NASA after his career as an astronaut.  

The ”Afronauts,” as they called themselves, shared their courageous unspoken story and how the community built within still exists today through other racially incited, historical events, such as the murder of George Floyd. The Space Race not only educates and informs, but it also manages to  inspire and ignite the passing of the baton to the next generation of African Americans who  refuse to settle or accept the statement that ‘it’s never been done by a Black person before.’ 

The Space Race comes to National Geographic and Disney+ in February 2024