Guion BlufordRachel Ehrlich

Period 3

Background Information

Birth Date: November 22, 1942 Raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Primary Occupation: Former NASA

Astronaut› Retired in 1993

Secondary Occupation: Air Force Pilot› Reached Colonel rank

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IS LIFE As you can see, Guion Bluford has led a very

exciting, successful life that allowed him to achieve so much.

1942Born in Philadelphia, PA

1960Graduated from Overbrook Senior High School

1964-1978Received various degrees in aerospace engineering

1979Became an astronaut for NASA

1983Became the first African American in space

1993Retired from NASA and the Air Force

1987Received his masters in business administration

Education

Guion Bluford graduated from Overbrook Senior High School in 1960.

After graduating, Bluford pursued his bachelor’s degree of science in aerospace engineering at Pennsylvania State University (PSU), which he received in 1964.

He also received a master’s and doctor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1974 and 1978.

In 1987, Guion accepted his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston.

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Once Bluford received his bachelor of science from PSU, he entered the US Air Force. In January 1966, he got his pilot wings and went to combat crew training in Arizona and Florida. He was later assigned to the 557th Tactical Fighting Squad and entered the Vietnam War. Out of the 144 missions Guion flew, 65 of them were in North Vietnam.

After the War

Even after the end of the Vietnam War, Guion still participated in the USAF.

In July 1967, he became an instructor pilot in Texas.

Bluford went to Squadron Officers School in 1971 and came back as a support officer to the Deputy Commander of Operations.

He also worked at the Air Force base in Ohio starting in 1972.

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STS-8 was Guion’s first mission. On August 30, 1983, he launched in the Orbiter Challenger from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This mission was the third launch the Orbital Challenger participated in.

Bluford and others from The patch from

the STS-8 Mission the mission

More on the STS-8 Mission

Bluford and crew operated a satellite, ran various tests, learned the different effects of space travel, and helped in a special NASA program.

On this mission, the Challenger completed 98 orbits around Earth in 145 hours before coming back to the Edwards Air Force Base on September 5, 1983.

Bluford sleeping on the Challenger

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(Top Left) The mission’s patch. (Top Right) The Challenger launching.(Bottom Left) Crew working in the shuttle. (Bottom Right) The Challenger landing.

ABOUT THE STS-61-A MISSION

This mission set history: it was the first space mission with an eight-person crew, the largest crew ever to fly in space. The crew included three European specialists.

This mission was the first Spacelab mission run by the German Aerospace Research Establishment.

There were 76 experiments made in assorted subjects, such as fluid physics, material processing, life sciences and navigation.

The Challenger completed 111 orbits in 169 hours before returning to the Edwards Air Force Base on November 6, 1985.

The STS-39 Mission

On April 28, 1991, Bluford launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on the STS-39 Mission.

This was Guion’s first mission on a new shuttle, the Discovery.

After completing 134 orbits around Earth in 199 hours, Discovery landed back at Kennedy Space Center on May 6, 1991.

STS-39 (cont.)On this mission, Guion Bluford and crew gathered data about infrared and ultraviolet light.The crew also conducted an experiment called the Infrared Background Signature Survey.

The STS-53 Mission

This was Guion Bluford’s last flight with NASA before he retired.

He launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on December 2, 1992.

Guion and four other crew members positioned a special Department of Defense unit and carried out many Military-Man-In-Space and NASA projects.

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Completed 115 orbits around Earth in 175 hours.Mission flown on the Discovery, as in the STS-39 Mission.Landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California on December 9, 1992.

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Logged 5,200 hours for the Air Force.

Flew in the T-33, T-37, T-38, F-4C, F-15, U-2/TR-1 and F-5A/B.

Also logged 1,300 hours as a T-38 instructor pilot.

Logged over 688 hours in space (28d 16h 33m).

Participated in four flights in space.

Awards/Honors

Guion received multiple awards and honors from both the US Air Force and NASA.

In 1991, he was named the Black Engineer of the Year.

In 1993, he received the Ebony Black Achievement Award and the NAACP Image Award.

He also achieved the honor of getting Pennsylvania's Distinguished Service Medal and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal.

Where is he now?Guion had married his wife, Linda Tull, in 1964 and now enjoys spending time with his two sons, Guion III, and James.His hobbies include reading, swimming, jogging, scuba diving, golf, racquetball, and handball.However, he still pursues his passion as the president of the Aerospace Technology Group.

Why should we remember him?

Guion Bluford set history: he became the first African American in space.

Bluford was also chosen out of 10,000 applicants to be one of the first 35 astronauts for NASA and to go into space.

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Bibliography

"Astronaut Bio: Guion S. Bluford, Jr. (2/2012)." NASA. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/bluford-gs.html>.

" Guion S. Bluford Biography - Facts, Birthday, Life Story - Biography.com ." Famous Biographies & TV Shows - Biography.com . N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/guion-s-bluford-213031>.

Category. "Guion "Guy" Bluford Biography - NASA Astronaut - First African American In Space." Space & Astronomy at About.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://space.about.com/cs/formerastronauts/a/guionbluford.htm>.

"Infobase Learning - Login." Infobase Learning - Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=AASM0012&SingleRecord=True>.

"Welcome to Encyclopædia Britannica's Guide to Black History." Encyclopedia - Britannica Online Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Feb. 2012. <http://www.britannica.com/blackhistory/article-9396196>.