JOHANNESBURG – Africa.com, in collaboration with the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP), is thrilled to introduce seven pioneering black NASA astronauts breaking barriers!
This initiative celebrates seven trailblazing astronauts who have shattered barriers and redefined what’s possible in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
These pioneers have not only reached the stars but have also inspired generations with their extraordinary achievements. Now, they’re ready to share their journeys with you in a free, virtual event on March 18, 2025.
Students, educators, and curious minds across Africa and beyond are invited to hear firsthand from these history-makers as they unpack their experiences, challenges, and the power of STEM in shaping the future.
Meet the astronauts
Here are the seven remarkable individuals who have redefined space exploration:
Born in Hampton, the US, Satcher Jr earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993 and an M.D. from Harvard Medical School in 1994. In 2009, he became the first orthopedic surgeon and first Black male physician to go to space during the STS-129 NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station.
- Capt. Winston E. Scott
A former NASA astronaut and retired US Navy captain, Scott obtained Bachelor of Science Degree in Music from Florida State University in 1972, Captain. She went on to earn a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the US Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA in 1980.
A Florida native who grew up in Miami, he served over 26 years in the US Navy reaching the rank of captain or O6, with seven of those years spent as a NASA astronaut, since 1992.
- Maj. Gen. Charles F. Bolden Jr
Selected as a Space Shuttle astronaut in 1980. During his 14 years as an astronaut, the South Carolina native logged more than 680 hours in space during four space shuttle missions, twice as commander and twice as pilot.
He has received many honors including the Defense Superior Service Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross and was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2009, Bolden was nominated by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate as the twelfth NASA Administrator, leading the space agency in its vision to reach for new heights and reveal the unknown for the benefit of humanity.
Dr Bernard A. Harris Jr
Long before Elon Musk entered the space race with SpaceX in 2002, Dr. Bernard Harris Jr was making history as the first Black American to perform a spacewalk in 1995.
Harris was part of NASA’s 13th astronaut class back in 1990. He became an astronaut in 1991 and flew for the first time two years later, racking up 10 days off Earth on the space shuttle Columbia’s STS-55 mission.
He launched for the second and final time in February 1995, on the STS-63 mission of the shuttle Discovery. It was on this flight that Harris carved his name into the history books: On February 9 that year, he took a lengthy excursion outside Discovery, becoming the first African-American ever to perform a spacewalk.
Higginbotham was recruited by NASA in 1987 two weeks after receiving her B.S. in electrical engineering. She spent nearly a decade as a rocket scientist for NASA and was actively involved in 53 different space shuttle missions, before she became an astronaut candidate herself.
After years of additional training and preparation, she launched into space in December 2006. She and a crew of six other astronauts spent nearly 13 days in space, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. They successfully completed their mission, which focused on continuing construction of the International Space Station.
Col. Frederick D. Gregory – NASA astronaut and the first African American to pilot and command a space shuttle mission.
After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Air Force Academy in 1964, Frederick D. Gregory trained as a helicopter pilot and served as a rescue pilot during the Vietnam War in 1966.
He later retrained as a fixed-wing pilot and test pilot, excelling in this role until his selection as an astronaut candidate in 1978.
A veteran of three Space Shuttle missions, Gregory continued to make significant contributions to NASA, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Administrator in August 2002.
- Capt. Robert L. Curbeam Jr. – Veteran NASA astronaut with three spaceflights and seven spacewalks.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Robert L. Curbeam Jr. holds the record for the most spacewalks completed during a single spaceflight. Curbeam graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1984 and later earned advanced degrees in aeronautical engineering in 1990 and 1991, eventually attaining the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy.
Selected by NASA in 1994, he began astronaut training in March 1995. Curbeam flew on three space missions: his first in 1997, his second in 2001, and his final flight in 2006, where he made history with his record-breaking spacewalks. After retiring from NASA in 2007, Curbeam transitioned to the private sector, where he currently serves as Vice President of Mission Assurance at Raytheon.
Unpacking their stories at a virtual Event
The inspiring stories of these astronauts will be unpacked in detail at a free, virtual event hosted by Africa.com and the Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP).
Scheduled for March 18, 2025, the event will provide a platform for students, educators, and curious minds across Africa and beyond to hear firsthand from these trailblazers. Attendees will gain insights into their experiences in space, the challenges they overcame, and the critical role of STEM education in shaping the future of exploration.
Inspiring Africa’s future leaders
“As Africa advances in technology and innovation, we must invest in inspiring young minds to dream big,” said Teresa Clarke, Chair and CEO of Africa.com. “These seven pioneering Black astronauts exemplify the power of education, determination, and ambition. Their stories are a testament to what can be achieved when we dare to reach for the stars.”
Through their groundbreaking work, these astronauts have not only advanced space exploration but have also paved the way for future generations to pursue careers in STEM. Their journeys highlight the importance of resilience, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge in overcoming challenges and achieving greatness.
Join the conversation
To learn more about these incredible astronauts and their contributions to space exploration, follow the conversation on WhatsApp: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LL5rNhVSzemLSi6FQ0Tiep
