Heartbreaking pictures from the first untethered spacewalk mark the 40th anniversary of the daring feat.
Bruce McCandless II was the first man to perform a thrilling heist in space untethered to a spacecraft on February 7, 1984.
The intrepid astronaut uses a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) to control his movement instead of being tethered to the space shuttle Challenger.
The photo of McCandless floating in space 320 feet from the space shuttle has become one of NASA’s most popular archival pieces.
The mission had two unbound spacewalks, which proved to be “most critical” for NASA, according to a press release.
Bruce McCandless II was the first man to perform a harrowing spacewalk untethered to a spacecraft on February 7, 1984. NASA/SWNS The intrepid astronaut used the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) to control his movement instead of being tethered to the space shuttle Challenger . NASA/SWNS
During McCandless and Robert Stewart’s spacewalk, which took place on the fourth and fifth days of the eight-day mission, the crew lowered the space shuttle’s cabin pressure from 14.7 psi to 10.2 to reduce the time it took the two spacewalkers to inhale pure oxygen and purge it. . excessive blood nitrogen. Too much nitrogen can result in “bends when working in their spacesuit at 4.3 psi,” according to NASA.
The next day, McCandless and Stewart will take another spacewalk.
“That might be one small step for Neil, but it’s one giant leap for me,” McCandless joked.
McCandless then floated 150 feet away from the shuttle before returning and then exiting 320 feet and then returning safely again. Stewart followed the same procedure.
Space shuttle Challenger. NASA/SWNS The photo of McCandless floating in space 320 feet from the space shuttle has become one of the most popular pieces of the NASA archive. NASA/SWNS McCandless floated 150 feet from the shuttle before returning and then exited 320 feet and then returned safely to the shuttle. Robert Stewart followed the same procedure. NASA/SWNS Despite the remarkable achievement, scientists are worried about the MMU. NASA/SWNS
“Both astronauts ended their spacewalk after 5 hours and 55 minutes,” NASA said.
The mission also saw McCandless “flown” aboard the spacecraft, using the first “cherry picker” in space, a combined Mobile Foot Restraint (MFR) and Remote Manipulator System (RMS) configuration.
Despite the remarkable achievement, scientists are worried about MMU.
Stewart and McCandless (both pictured in white) used the MMU on the mission. It was McCandless’ first mission to space, although he had served as an astronaut since his selection in 1966, according to the space company. NASA/SWNS
“Many in the agency are apprehensive about the use of self-propelled, untethered backpacks in space,” said Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, NASA Historian of Human Spaceflight.
“Spacewalkers have previously remained tethered to vehicles by tethers. This jet pack allows the crew to move outside the cargo bay and conduct activities away from the safety of the spacecraft.”
It was McCandless’ first mission to space, although he had served as an astronaut since his selection in 1966, according to the space company.
He helped develop MMU. He also helped create the Astronaut Maneuvering Unit, which was the predecessor of the MMU, inside Skylab.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
