Honoring First African-American Astronaut Trainee at Buffalo Soldiers Museum Sat. June 24th

1. Honoring First African-American Astronaut Trainee

The event will recognize Maj. Robert H. Lawrence, United States Air Force (USAF), on the 50th anniversary of his selection as the first African-American astronaut trainee on June 30, 1967.

Lawrence was in the third group of pilots selected for the USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program, a secret piloted reconnaissance platform in low-Earth orbit. That program was cancelled in June 1969.

Tragically, he died in the crash of a training jet aircraft in December 1967; but, had he survived, Maj. Lawrence would almost certainly have been transferred to NASA in August 1969, along with seven other MOL pilots who flew the early shuttle missions and later led NASA.

Local elected officials, NASA astronauts current and past and others will offer tributes to Maj. Lawrence. In addition, a new portrait of him will be unveiled.

Event Date: Saturday, June 24, 2017   Event Start Time:2:00 PM   Event End Time:5:00 PM
Event Location: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, 3816 Caroline St