All articles tagged with #untethered
A 40-year-old NASA photo showing astronaut Dale Gardner performing an untethered spacewalk to retrieve a satellite remains iconic, highlighting a rare and daring mission from 1984 that demonstrated astronauts could operate freely in space without safety lines, a practice not repeated until a decade later.
NASA commemorates the 40th anniversary of the first untethered spacewalk by astronauts using the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) during the STS-41B mission in 1984. The iconic photos captured during the mission showcase the astronauts' historic free-flying experience in space, marking a significant moment in space exploration history. Despite the success of the MMU, it was ultimately discontinued due to safety concerns, with NASA opting for safer methods for astronauts to work outside the Space Shuttle.
Heart-stopping photos of the first untethered spacewalk, performed by astronaut Bruce McCandless II 40 years ago, mark the anniversary of the daring feat. Using the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), McCandless floated in space without being tethered to the Challenger shuttle, capturing iconic images. Despite concerns about the MMU, the mission proved critical for NASA and showcased the potential for untethered spacewalks, paving the way for future space exploration.