Manned Spaceflight Gallery

Astronaut Bruce McCandless walking in space

Astronaut Bruce McCandless floats free above the Earth in his manned maneuvring unit (MMU) on February 7, 1984, during the 10th space shuttle flight (mission 41B). McCandless, who helped design the MMU, was the first person to fly it, thus becoming the first "human satellite" in orbit around the Earth. The MMU is propelled by small nitrogen thrusters which are controlled by the astronaut's hands. Because no umbilical cord attaches the astronaut to the spacecraft, it gives much greater mobility than was available to earlier spacewalkers. Mission 41B was launched from Kennedy Space Center on February 3, 1984, & landed back at Kennedy on February 12

© Nasa/Science Photo Library

International Space Station

International Space Station (ISS). Artwork of the International Space Station in orbit over Earth with a number of solar power panels arrayed. At lower centre the European Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) has just docked with the space station. The ISS is comprised of several different modules; the cylindrical European Columbus Orbital Facility or Attached Pressurised Module is in the background at centre right. Beneath the ATV is the Russian Research Module (brown). It is planned that the ATV, launched by an Ariane 5 rocket, will deliver logistical supplies on a regular basis to the ISS. The ISS should commence operation with a crew of six in June 2002

© David Ducros/Science Photo Library

Astronaut on moon

Astronaut James B. Irwin, lunar module pilot, isseen here with the Lunar Roving Vehicle during theApollo 15 mission. Apollo 15 was the fourth mannedlunar landing mission and the first to carry theLunar Roving Vehicle. This craft held twopassengers and was able to travel up to ten milesper hour. It was equipped with a lunar surfacecamera visible as a gold box to the right of thedish antennae. The shadow in the foreground is ofthe lunar module "Falcon". Mount Hadley is in thebackground. The spacecraft was launched on 26thJuly 1971 and splashed-down in the Pacific on the7th August 1971. Astronauts David Scott & AlfredWorden accommpanied Irwin on the flight.
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© Nasa/Science Photo Library