Bruce McCandless II approaches his maximum distance from the Challenger space shuttle. Credit: NASA
On Feb. 7, 1984, Bruce McCandless II left the Space Shuttle Challenger, quipping, “It may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me.” McCandless was venturing out on the first untethered spacewalk, moving through space fully independent of the shuttle. Wearing the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), a nitrogen-propelled backpack he operated with hand controls, he explored as far as 320 feet (98 meters) from Challenger. The extra vehicular activity (EVA) lasted 1 hour and 22 minutes, during which he tested the MMU; a pair a bifocals that allowed him to manage his vision’s focus despite the restraints of the helmet he wore; and the Manipulator Foot Restraint workstation platform for working outside the spacecraft.
