Feb 7, 2025
On this day in 1984, Bruce McCandless became the first human to fly untethered in space.
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On this day in 1984, Bruce McCandless became the first human to fly untethered in space.
Ayer se cumplieron 41 años de esta icónica y aterradora foto.
El astronauta Bruce McCandless II flota sin ataduras, lejos de la seguridad del transbordador espacial. Esto lo logra usando solamente la Unidad de maniobras tripulada, la cual lo mantiene vivo.
El fue la primera persona en la historia en hacerlo.
¿Por qué lo hizo? Conoce su historia aquí:
Bruce McCandless II, es el astronauta protagonista de la imagen más aterradora jamás tomada en el espacio.
PC Magazine May 8, 2001
on Google Books
Backpacking by NASA on The Commons Via Flickr: Full Description: Mission Specialist Bruce McCandless II ventured further away from the confines and safety of his ship than any previous astronaut ever has. This space first was made possible by the Manned Manuevering Unit or MMU, a nitrogen jet propelled backpack. After a series of test maneuvers inside and above Challenger's payload bay, McCandless went "free-flying" to a distance of 320 feet away from the Orbiter. The MMU is controlled by joy sticks positioned at the end of the arm rests. Moving the joy sticks left or right or by pulling them fires nitrogen jet thrusters propelling McCandless in any direction he chooses. A still camera is mounted on the upper right portion of the MMU. This stunning view shows McCandless with the MMU out there amongst the black and blue of Earth and space. NASA Media Usage Guidelines Credit: NASA Image Number: S84-27017 Date: February 7, 1984
First untethered space walk, 1984
“It may have been one small step for Neil,” he proclaimed, “but it’s a heck of a big leap for me.”
-Astronaut Bruce McCandless Il
McCandless approached his maximum distance from the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger on Feb. 7, 1984. He was testing out the nitrogen-propelled, hand-controlled back-pack device called the manned maneuvering unit (MMU) for the very first time. McCandless’s fellow crewmembers aboard the reusable vehicle took this 70mm photo. The MMU allowed crews to move outside of the cargo bay and perform activities away from the safety of the spacecraft.
Sweet photo of STS-41-B’s Bruce McCandless and Ron McNair (with Bob Stewart and Hoot Gibson behind them) that Bruce’s son shared recently:
Ron McNair often looked as though he was playing himself in a musical called McNair! There was never a happier astronaut. Dad loved this guy.