http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/bruce-mccandless-iconic-spacewalker-dies/ar-BBHamOPFormer astronaut Bruce McCandless II, a retired Navy captain and son of a Medal of Honor recipient who joined NASA during the buildup to the Apollo program, served as capsule communicator when Neil Armstrong took his historic first step on the moon and later flew in space twice during the shuttle program, died Thursday, NASA said Friday. He was 80. During his first space flight aboard the shuttle Challenger in February 1984, McCandless carried out the first untethered spacewalk, using a nitrogen gas-powered Manned Maneuvering Unit he helped design to fly well away from the orbiter for a series of tests. Photos of McCandless, floating alone in the deep black of space above the brilliant limb of Earth became iconic emblems of the space shuttle program and among the most widely reproduced. The Challenger crew also launched two communications satellites before returning to Earth, making the program's first shuttle landing at the Kennedy Space Center.
Bruce McCandless was an American astronaut who served as a mission specialist for NASA. He was involved in two Space Shuttle missions and was also a part of the team that developed the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU), which allowed astronauts to move freely in space outside of their spacecraft.
Bruce McCandless' iconic photo of him floating freely in space without any tether or lifeline is significant because it represents the first time an astronaut was able to move freely in space without being attached to a spacecraft. This was made possible by the MMU, which McCandless helped develop.
Bruce McCandless was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1966. He had a background in the Navy, having served as a naval aviator and a test pilot before joining NASA. He also had a degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Houston.
In addition to being the first astronaut to use the MMU, Bruce McCandless also served as the mission control capsule communicator (CAPCOM) for the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. He also worked on the development of the Space Shuttle and helped design the Space Shuttle's extravehicular activity (EVA) suit.
Bruce McCandless' contributions to the space program were significant. He helped develop technology that allowed astronauts to move freely in space, paving the way for future spacewalks and missions. He also served as a key team member for several important missions and played a role in the development of the Space Shuttle. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of astronauts and scientists.