Victor Glover to Become First Black Astronaut to Visit Moon

After more than six decades, a Black astronaut will finally journey to the moon.

NASA's Artemis II mission is scheduled to launch as soon as April 1, carrying astronaut Victor Glover on a historic flight around the moon. Glover will become the first person of color to leave Earth's orbit and travel to our nearest celestial neighbor.

The milestone resonates deeply with Ed Dwight, who in 1963 became America's first Black astronaut candidate. Despite his qualifications and training, Dwight never flew to space during an era when racial barriers kept talented astronauts grounded.

Now 92, Dwight says he's "really proud" of Glover's upcoming achievement. His words carry the weight of a dream deferred but not forgotten.

Glover, a Navy commander and experienced astronaut, previously spent six months aboard the International Space Station. This mission represents a giant leap forward not just for him personally, but for representation in space exploration.

Why This Inspires

Glover's journey to the moon arrives 57 years after the Apollo program sent astronauts to lunar orbit and landed 12 men on the moon's surface. All were white men. His presence on Artemis II signals that space exploration is finally opening its doors wider.

The Artemis program aims to return humans to the moon's surface for the first time since 1972. Future missions plan to land the first woman and first person of color on the lunar surface itself.

For young people of color watching from Earth, Glover's mission sends a powerful message: the final frontier truly belongs to everyone. His achievement builds on the legacy of trailblazers like Dwight and proves that persistence eventually breaks down even the highest barriers.

When Glover looks back at Earth from lunar orbit this spring, he'll see a world where more children can imagine themselves among the stars.