On February 12, 1984, Astronaut Bruce McCandless ventured beyond the safety of his spacecraft further than any astronaut had gone before. This milestone was achieved using a nitrogen jet propelled backpack, known at NASA as the Manned Maneuvering Unit or MMU. After conducting a series of test maneuvers within and above Challenger's payload bay, McCandless embarked on a 'free-flying' journey, reaching a distance of 320 feet away from the Orbiter. This stunning orbital panorama view shows McCandle

On February 7, 1984, astronaut Bruce McCandless II made history, venturing untethered into the cosmos with the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU). Floating freely outside Challenger’s payload bay, this bold leap represented a breakthrough in space exploration, enabling activities far from the spacecraft. His words, echoing Neil Armstrong’s famous line, captured the mix of awe and bravery: “It may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me.” | The Galactic Void

On February 7, 1984, astronaut Bruce McCandless II performed the first untethered spacewalk during STS-41B, using the Manned Maneuvering Unit to fly freely with no physical connection to the Space Shuttle Challenger. It was the moment humans proved they could move independently in orbit. Follow @spaceeves #SpaceHistory #Astronauts #Spacewalk #NASA | SpaceEve

#OnThisDay: Feb. 7, 1984, Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, STS-41-B mission specialist -- just a few meters away from the space shuttle Challenger -- conducted the first-ever spacewalk which didn't use restrictive tethers and umbilicals. Fellow crewmembers aboard the Challenger took this photo through windows on the flight deck. McCandless was joined by Robert L. Stewart, one of two other mission specialists for this flight, on two sessions of EVA. #Astronaut #SpaceHistory #NASA | Space Center Hou