Walking in Space
Explanation:
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.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
