NASA's Victor Glover Becomes First Black Astronaut To Call ISS Home

Astronaut Victor Glover is set to make history after landing at the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this week - becoming the first black person to ever live on the space station.

NASA astronaut Glover, 44, will spend around six months at ISS alongside fellow astronauts Michael Hopkins, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi following their 27-hour journey across space.

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Throughout NASA's history, 14 black Americans have been sent into space but Glover, who joined the space agency in 2013, will be the first to call the ISS home.

Speaking before the mission, he said: "It is something to be celebrated once we accomplish it, and I am honoured to be in this position and to be a part of this great and experienced crew.

"And I look forward to getting up there and doing my best to make sure, you know, we are worthy of all the work that's been put into setting us up for this mission.

"You know, unlike the election - that is in the past or receding in the past - this mission is still ahead of me. So, let's get there, and I'll talk to you after I get on board."

Glover added: "Flying has been such an important part of my professional life and I love to do it.

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"6,400 feet, that's the highest up I've ever been above the ground and so to get to a point beyond that, that'll be a little special moment."

In 1983, Guion S. Bluford Jr. became the first black American man to go to space, while Mae Jemison became the first black American woman to fly into space in 1992.

Now, history is being made again, but Glover told the Christian Chronicle the impressive milestone was 'bittersweet'.

He said: "It is bittersweet because I've had some amazing colleagues before me that really could have done it, and there are some amazing folks that will go behind me.

"I wish it would have already been done, but I try not to draw too much attention to it."

Earlier this year, Glover responded to a Twitter user who suggested astronauts should 'stick to space' instead of commenting on social injustices and current affairs.

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Glover said: "Actually no. Remember who is doing space. People are.

"As we address extreme weather and pandemic disease, we will understand and overcome racism and bigotry so we can safely and together do space. Thanks for asking."

Topics: Interesting, Nasa, space, US

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19