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Walking in Space

Walking in Space

Credit & copyright: Credit: NASA, Gemini 4, James McDivitt

Pictured above is the first american astronaut to walk in space: Edward White . White is seen floating outside the Gemini 4 capsule in 1965. The term “spacewalk” is deceiving since astronauts do not actually walk - they float - usually without their feet touching anything solid. White was connected to the spaceship only by a thick tether. He carried a Hand-Held Self-Maneuvering Unit which expelled gas allowing him to move around. A maneuvering device is necessary in the free-fall of space since there is nothing (besides the spacecraft) to push off of to guide movements.

View the original NASA APOD

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