Four decades ago, on this very day, astronaut Bruce McCandless II made an extraordinary leap into the history books by becoming the first human to conduct an untethered spacewalk. Floating away from the space shuttle Challenger, he expertly maneuvered using NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), which allowed him to explore the vastness of space without being attached to the shuttle by a safety tether. A stunning photograph of McCandless gliding through space, approximately 320 feet (98 meters) from the shuttle, has become one of NASA’s most cherished images.
Reflecting on this groundbreaking moment, Jennifer Ross-Nazzal, a NASA Human Spaceflight Historian, noted the apprehension surrounding the use of a self-propelled, untethered backpack in space. “Previous spacewalkers remained connected to the vehicle with tethers. This jet-pack allowed crews to move outside of the cargo bay and perform activities away from the safety of the spacecraft,” she explained.
In an effort to lighten the mood for his wife and the flight controllers at Mission Control, McCandless echoed Neil Armstrong’s famous words from the Moon landing in 1969, saying, “It may have been one small step for Neil, but it’s a heck of a big leap for me.” His adventurous spirit and humor during this nerve-wracking event have inspired many.
Additionally, on this date, we celebrate other remarkable milestones. Fifty-three years ago, the iconic album “Raw Power” by Iggy Pop and The Stooges was released through CBS Records. This record is hailed as a pivotal influence in rock history, laying the groundwork for punk rock and hardcore genres with its bold, aggressive style. Despite its groundbreaking sound, the album initially struggled for commercial exposure, leading to challenges for the band.
Interestingly, Iggy Pop’s original mix was rejected due to its unconventional stereo arrangement, prompting CBS’s partner MainMan to bring in David Bowie for the mixing. Pop reminisced about the quick recording process, stating, “To the best of my recollection it was done in a day… on a very, very old board.” Bowie later humorously reflected on the experience, recalling the sparse tracks available for mixing and the unique challenges that came with working with Iggy Pop.
Finally, we also remember the birth of the talented Parisian songstress Juliette Gréco, who entered the world 99 years ago. Renowned for her ability to convey everything from sultry jazz to delicate poetry, she continues to be celebrated for her artistic contributions.
