The pioneering spirit and groundbreaking achievements of Black astronauts and cosmonauts have profoundly shaped the history of space exploration. Here are a few key trailblazers. Robert Lawrence Jr.

The story of Laika, the first dog in space, feels like the beginning of an inspirational biopic. She began as a stray in Moscow and was lovingly given the name Kudryavka(Russian for "little curly one" ...