A fascinating moment in space history happened in February 1984 when astronaut Bruce McCandless II took the first untethered spacewalk. Floating freely, McCandless used a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) outside the Space Shuttle Challenger. This leap marked a significant milestone in human space exploration.
On that memorable day, McCandless and his fellow astronaut Bob Stewart sped through space at nearly 29,000 kilometers per hour (about 18,000 miles per hour). This daring move made McCandless the first human to wander in space without any safety cables.
But there’s another untethered spacewalk that often gets overlooked. Just a few months later, astronaut Dale Gardner, alongside Joseph Allen, ventured out to retrieve two satellites that were stranded in the wrong orbits due to rocket failures. Their mission was fraught with challenges but showcased human ingenuity.
Gardner and Allen used their MMUs to navigate through space, capturing the Westar 6 and Palapa B2 satellites. With Anna Fisher operating the Remote Manipulator System, the astronauts synchronized their efforts. They connected the satellites for safe return to Earth, completing both operations in under six hours.
The thrill of spacewalking brings risks. A recent NASA survey revealed that 67% of astronauts experience anxiety during their first spacewalk—an understandable reaction when leaving the safety of the shuttle. This level of apprehension is common among space professionals, highlighting the immense courage these astronauts possess.
Today, space agencies are exploring more complex missions, including potential human journeys to Mars. As technology advances, the importance of these early untethered walks cannot be understated. They laid the groundwork for future missions.
Videos of McCandless and Gardner’s spacewalks give us a firsthand look at these historic moments, reminding us of how far we’ve come.
Space is vast, unpredictable, and daunting. But it’s also full of wonder and opportunity. The bravery of these astronauts inspires new generations to reach for the stars.
For more details on these missions, you can check out NASA’s official account.
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