2. For more than 25 years, African- American astronauts have contributed to the success and science of space exploration. Let’s celebrate six men and women who have helped change the course of U.S. space travel.

3. Black History First: In 1983, Bluford became the first African- American to visit outer space. Missions: Four flights into outer space—including the maiden voyage of the space shuttle Challenger Background: Bluford was born in 1942. He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. Guion S. Bluford Jr. Check out Bluford’s biography http://www.nmspacemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.php?id=134 (International Space Hall of Fame)

4. Black History First: Gregory became the first African-American to command a space flight in 1989. Missions: Gregory went on three space flights. He piloted one mission and commanded the other two. Background: Gregory was born in 1941. Before flying through outer space, he flew in the U.S. Air Force. Watch this video about Gregory’s first flight. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1681526156963136186 (National Space Society) Frederick D. Gregory

5. Black History First: In 1992, Jemison became the first African-American woman to travel to outer space. Mission: Jemison served on the space shuttle Endeavour’s maiden voyage. Background: Born in 1956, Jemison became a medical doctor. She conducted medical experiments during her time in outer space. Mae C. Jemison Watch this video interview with Jemison. http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rid=2917 http://www.researchchannel.org/prog/displayevent.aspx?rid=2917 (Rutgers University)

6. Black History First: Harris became the first African-American astronaut to walk in outer space, in 1995. Missions: Harris flew twice—once on an international mission with Russian astronauts in 1993. Background: Harris was born in 1956. He joined the National Space and Aeronautics Administration as a medical doctor. Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. Watch this video biography about Harris. http://www.horatioalger.org/video/Harris.html http://www.horatioalger.org/video/Harris.html (Horatio Alger Association)

7. Black History First: Bolden is the first African-American to oversee NASA on a permanent basis. Missions: Bolden piloted two of his four space missions. Background: Bolden was born in 1946. Before he became an astronaut, Bolden was a U.S. Marine. Charles F. Bolden Jr. Listen to this stellar conversation with Bolden. http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/news/audio/2007/05/09/stellar-conversations- an-insiders-look-at-the-space-shuttle-with-astronaut-charlie-bolden.57909 http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/news/audio/2007/05/09/stellar-conversations- an-insiders-look-at-the-space-shuttle-with-astronaut-charlie-bolden.57909 (Vanderbilt University)

8. Making History: One of NASA’s active astronauts, Wilson is scheduled for space travel again in March 2010. Missions: Wilson flew on the space shuttle Discovery twice—once in 2006 and once in 2007. Background: She was born in 1966, and studied aerospace engineering, the technology of space travel, in college. Stephanie D. Wilson Read about Wilson and NASA’s astronaut swimming test. http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/jscfeatures/articles/000000576.html (NASA)

9. Visit these Web sites for more resources about space exploration Scholastic Classroom Magaines. www.scholastic.com/juniorscholasticwww.scholastic.com Photo Credits: Type over this text when you have the credits. Photo Credits: Type over this text when you have the credits. Photo Credits: Type over this text when you have the credits. Photo Credits: Type over this text when you have the credits. Photo Credits: Type over this text when you have the credits. NASA: Challenging the Space Frontier http://teacher.scholastic.com/space an online activity for students http://teacher.scholastic.com/space Interview with Mae http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/mae_jemison/interview.htm transcript of an interview with Jemison conducted by students http://teacher.scholastic.com/space/mae_jemison/interview.htm Black Wings: African-American Pioneer Aviators http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751234 a lesson plan for teachers http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3751234