Latest news with #spacewalk
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
60 years ago, Ed White went out for walk
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. On this day (June 3) 60 years ago, a NASA astronaut stepped outside his Gemini spacecraft and made history as the first American to perform an extavehicular activity (EVA), or spacewalk. NASA astronaut Edward H. White II left his Gemini 4 capsule and crew mate Jim McDivitt for a 20-minute spacewalk on June 3, 1965. It was only the second extravehicular activity (EVA) ever made (the first was by Soviet-era cosmonaut Alexei Leonov a few months earlier) and the first by an American. White brought with him a camera and a small jet pack; the latter did not work very well. He was connected to his spacecraft by an umbilical. Gemini 4 entered an orbit about Earth between 103 and 180 miles (165 and 289 kilometers) in altitude. During the spacewalk, White was in radio contact with ground controllers in Hawaii and Houston. There are other, better-composed photos of White on the same historic spacewalk, but this one can be used to illustrate one of, if not the most important lesson NASA learned from his EVA: They did not know how yet to spacewalk. White floated well enough, but he had no real control of his movements, even with a prototype handheld jet pack. There were no handrails for him to use on the outside of the Gemini capsule, and he had not trained in neutral buoyancy underwater — the best analog for the conditions in the vacuum of space. Still, even with the troubles he encountered, White called the end of his EVA the "saddest moment" of his life. You can read more about the history and basics of spacewalking and learn more about Ed White's Gemini 4 EVA.
Digital Trends
2 days ago
- General
- Digital Trends
10 amazing images to mark 60 years of U.S. spacewalks
On June 3, 1965, NASA astronaut Ed White became the first American to exit a spacecraft in orbit. 'This is the greatest experience, it's just tremendous,' White said as he floated outside the Gemini 4 spacecraft on that historic day. Recommended Videos To mark the 60th anniversary since the first U.S. spacewalk, we've compiled a collection of 10 awesome images captured during the first-ever U.S walk, as well as subsequent walks that have taken place over the years. 1. First up, Ed White during his historic spacewalk on June 3, 1965. For his safety, the record-setting astronaut was secured to the spacecraft by a 25-foot umbilical line and tether during his 20-minute adventure. 2. NASA astronaut Scott Parazynski appears to wave to the camera while attached to a foot restraint at the end of the Space Shuttle's Orbiter Boom Sensor System during a spacewalk in 2007. 3. NASA's John B. Herrington, seen at the far left of the image, during a walk outside the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2002. 4. NASA astronaut Suni Williams pictured secured to the space station's Canadarm2 robotic arm, with the orbital facility's solar arrays behind her during a walk in 2025. 5. With a dramatic cloudy backdrop, astronaut Robert L. Curbeam, Jr. can be seen during a spacewalk at the space station in 2006. 6. Bruce McCandless II is seen approaching his maximum distance from the Space Shuttle Challenger in an extraordinary spacewalk in 1984 that saw him become the first astronaut to maneuver in space untethered. McCandles was trialing a nitrogen-propelled, hand-controlled backpack device called the Manned Maneuvering Unit. 7. Reid Wiseman takes part in a 2014 spacewalk at the space station some 250 miles above Earth. During the 6-hour, 13-minute spacewalk, Wiseman and ESA astronaut Alexander Gerst worked outside the station's Quest airlock, relocating a failed cooling pump to external stowage and installing gear that provides back up power to external robotics equipment. 8. NASA's Christina Koch snaps a 'space selfie' with Earth behind her. She and fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir worked outside the ISS for more than seven hours during the first-ever all-woman spacewalk in 2019. 9. American astronaut Dale A. Gardner gets up close and personal with the spinning WESTAR VI satellite during a mission in 1984. Gardner used a special device to stabilize the communications spacecraft sufficiently so that it could be captured and placed in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Discovery for return to Earth. 10. Astronauts Carl Meade and Mark Lee during a spacewalk in 1994. Lee can be seen attached to the Space Shuttle's robotic arm.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two NASA astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, one preparing for Axiom launch
Two veteran astronauts were inducted May 31 into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame — and one of them had to miss the induction ceremony as she's preparing to launch on yet another mission. Organized by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the annual ceremony was held under Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The new inductees are Bernard Harris and Peggy Whitson, bringing the total number of astronauts in the Hall of Fame to 111. Harris flew on two space shuttle missions. He served as mission specialist on STS-55 and as payload commander on STS-63, accumulating 438 hours in space. During his second mission in 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform a spacewalk. Harris was 13 years old when inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. While astronauts at that time were traditionally white test pilots, it did not stop Harris from dreaming. "I had that black-and-white television that I talked about - I could turn one channel and see some of the greatest accomplishments of human beings at that time, and then turn the channel and see Blacks fighting for their right to vote, or to exist depending depending on what part of the country they were in," Harris told FLORIDA TODAY. "I decided if I didn't see someone like me, I'd be the first." It would be nearly another decade before African Americans and even women became astronauts. As for being the first African American to perform a spacewalk, Harris told FLORIDA TODAY that while he had already become an astronaut, being the first in this regard was not even on his mind. "As a mission specialist, an aspiration for me was to do a spacewalk," said Harris. Going into his second mission, he did not even have a spacewalk assigned until into the mission. Harris was thrilled to not only perform a spacewalk, but helping to set the foundations for the ISS. "In truth, I didn't know I was the first African American until I got back inside and I got the call from President Clinton," said Harris. "The EVA (spacewalk) didn't scare me as much as 'now I got to talk to the president'," said Harris. Being an astronaut is not the only thing on Harris' list of accomplishments. He's also served as a research scientist and flight surgeon. According to the Visitor Complex's website, Harris conducted research on how the human body adapts to space, leading to the development of in-flight medical devices which assist astronauts with lengthy trips to space. Harris also founded the Harris Foundation, which works to ensure students from all backgrounds receive quality education. He also is involved in numerous education initiatives. As for Whitson, Harris had positive words for her. "I'm really honored to be inducted with her. She is a remarkable person," Harris told the crowd at the Visitor Complex. Whitson had to miss Saturday's ceremony as she's currently in pre-mission quarantine with her three other crewmates. She's preparing to fly to space for the seventh time. However, a prerecorded video was presented during her recognition, during which Whitson spoke of growing up on a farm in rural Iowa and being inspired by the moon landing. "Since there were no female astronauts at the time at the lunar landing, I focused my efforts on making enough money for flying lessons," said Whitson. After graduating with her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, and the space shuttle flying astronauts of all backgrounds, Whitson applied to become a NASA astronaut. It took Whitson four times of applying before she was finally selected in 1996 - yet the wait paid off as she went on to shatter records with NASA and now Axiom Space. Already, Whitson holds the record for the most time accumulated in space by an American astronaut — 675 days. On June 8, she is set to command the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Whitson will lift off in a SpaceX Crew Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Axiom Space is a private company which has sent three previous multinational missions to the ISS. The company is working to build the space station which will replace NASA's ISS when it retires no earlier than 2030. Whitson's previous missions include STS-111, Expedition 5, STS-113, Expedition 16, Expedition 50/51/52, and Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson joined Axiom Space after retiring from NASA in 2018. According to the Visitor Complex's website, Whitson has served as NASA's Chief of the Astronaut Office, twice as Commander of the ISS, Chair of NASA's Astronaut Selection Board, NASA Operations Branch Chief, NASA Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral To get named to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, here are the basic requirements the candidates must meet: Their first flight was at least 15 years before the induction. The last day eligible for a NASA flight assignment was at least five years before the candidate's nomination. Candidate must be a U.S. citizen. The candidate must have served as a NASA-trained space shuttle commander, pilot, mission specialist, International Space Station commander, or flight engineer. The candidate must have orbited Earth at least once. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 trailblazing NASA astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
The Brief Two NASA legends were honored for record-setting space careers. Dr. Bernard Harris made history with a spacewalk; Dr. Peggy Whitson holds the women's record for time in space. Their legacies inspire the next generation of explorers. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Two pioneering NASA astronauts — Dr. Bernard Harris and Dr. Peggy Whitson — are the newest members of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. What we know Dr. Bernard Harris and Dr. Peggy Whitson were officially inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Harris is recognized as the first Black NASA astronaut to perform a spacewalk, while Whitson holds the record for the most cumulative days in space by any woman — 665 in total — along with more than 60 hours of spacewalking experience. The backstory Dr. Harris became an astronaut in 1991 and was inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, which he watched as a child. Dr. Whitson, a biochemist by training, completed three long-term missions aboard the International Space Station and has played a pivotal role in advancing life sciences in microgravity environments. Both astronauts broke barriers in their respective careers, helping pave the way for broader representation and expanded research in human spaceflight. What they're saying The induction of Harris and Whitson highlights the growing diversity and resilience of NASA's astronaut corps. Their achievements symbolize historical milestones. "I've been fascinated with science and science fiction since I was a kid," said Dr. Harris. "When I was 13 years old in 1969... I saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon, and I was hooked." "The thing that has been most important for me was actually challenging myself to do something I wasn't sure I would be successful at," said Dr. Whitson. "It showed me I was actually even more capable than I ever imagined." Whitson also encouraged others to grow through discomfort. "Live a little bit outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by NASA and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Through an astronaut's lens: Don Pettit captures the art of space
Suited for spacewalks In a post to X, Pettit said, 'I am a nameless boy who stays in the confines of the tent helping the Knights suit up for battle.' Pettit said he helped his colleagues suit up for two spacewalks in January. (Don Pettit/NASA)
