Remembering our heritage

Aboard space shuttle Challenger, NASA astronaut Guion S. Bluford, STS-8 mission specialist, assists Dr. William E. Thornton (out of frame) with a medical test that requires use of the treadmill exercising device designed for spaceflight by the STS-8 medical doctor. Bluford became the first African American astronaut to fly in space nearly 37 years ago. Challenger lifted off from Launch Pad 39A on Aug. 30, 1983, at 2:32 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut John Glenn in the Friendship 7 capsule during the first manned orbital flight, the MA-6 mission. Boosted by the Mercury-Atlas vehicle, the MA-6 mission lasted for 5 hours and orbited the Earth three times. Friendship 7 launched atop the rocket on Feb. 20, 1962. Astronaut Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth 58 years ago this month. Photo credit: NASA