Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 07/02/2026Bruce McCandless and Robert Stewart, mission specialists on the Space Shuttle Challenger during STS-41-B, used nitrogen-propelled maneuvering units to perform the first untethered spacewalks #OTD in 1984. 🧪 🔭 🚀 (1/n) Images: NASA 621555
Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 07/02/2026In this photo, taken #OTD in 1984, Bruce McCandless is an *football field away from the space shuttle with no safety tether.* No astronaut, before or since, has been that far away from their ship while in orbit. (2/n) 1124073
adriana1o5.bsky.social @adriana1o5.bsky.social · 07/02/2026This is an instant “take my breath away” visual. + I can say (with confidence) I would pass out from fear and float off to my death. 010
J Kelly @john63kelly.bsky.social · 07/02/2026I wonder if he’s related to jazz musician Paul McCandless? It’s not that common a name, is it? 000
Orion🌈&sm9eb @sm9eb.bsky.social · 08/02/2026Oooh I remember this from when I was little. I was so scared for him. 120
Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 07/02/2026When I say "in orbit," I mean it literally. McCandless spent one hour and 55 minutes untethered during this EVA. The orbital period of the shuttle was just over 90 minutes. So Bruce McCandless completed more than a full orbit of Earth while outside of and disconnected from the space shuttle. (3/n) 410613
Kevin A. Barnes 🔭 @kevinabarnes.com · 21/02/2026I miss NASA’s MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit). The tech was only used a few times and (from what I recall) NASA concluded there were less expensive/easier ways to accomplish tasks for which the MMU was designed. (For example, use the Shuttle’s robotic arm.) 000
