Ed White's Spacewalk

The words

1. Contarex

   A 35-millimeter camera model.

   White’s Contarex camera was mounted on his hand-held maneuvering unit. The combined assembly was adapted for use with his spacesuit and helmet.

   pp. 8–9 · NASA: White’s camera and maneuvering unit (opens a new tab)

2. Ed White

   Ed White became the first American to walk in space on June 3, 1965. He floated outside Gemini 4 in a specially designed pressure suit.

   NASA: White’s suit and oxygen supply (opens a new tab)

3. Four Days

   Gemini 4 stayed in Earth orbit for four days, longer than earlier American missions. It tested how the crew and equipment could perform beyond a short flight.

   NASA: Gemini 4’s mission and recovery (opens a new tab)

4. Gemini Four

   Gemini 4 launched on June 3, 1965, with McDivitt and White. The flight combined an extended spacecraft test with the first American spacewalk.

   Did you know?

   It was the first American crewed flight controlled from the new center in Houston. Previous Mercury and Gemini flights had been controlled from Cape Kennedy.

   NASA gallery: Gemini 4 and White’s visor (opens a new tab) · NASA: Gemini 4’s mission and recovery (opens a new tab)

5. Gold Visor

   The gold-coated helmet visor shielded White from direct sunlight. It was part of the suit’s protection during his work outside the spacecraft.

   NASA gallery: Gemini 4 and White’s visor (opens a new tab)

6. Gulf of Mexico

   White’s outing ended over the Gulf of Mexico. The end point reflected the spacecraft’s progress around Earth while he worked outside.

   NASA: from Hawaii to the Gulf of Mexico (opens a new tab)

7. Hawaii

   White left the capsule while Gemini 4 passed over the Pacific near Hawaii. McDivitt photographed him against the cloud-covered Earth.

   NASA: from Hawaii to the Gulf of Mexico (opens a new tab)

8. James McDivitt

   James McDivitt was Gemini 4’s command pilot. He remained inside the capsule and photographed White moving outside his window, recording the spacewalk from the spacecraft.

   NASA: White’s suit and oxygen supply (opens a new tab) · NASA: the zip gun and McDivitt’s camera (opens a new tab)

9. Oxygen Pack

   White wore an emergency oxygen pack in addition to the line connecting him to Gemini 4. The umbilical supplied oxygen and communications during the spacewalk.

   NASA: White’s suit and oxygen supply (opens a new tab) · NASA EVA chronology: lines, glove and window (opens a new tab)

10. Saddest Moment

    White felt comfortable outside and wanted more time. He later described the order to return as the saddest moment of his life.

    NASA: White’s reluctance to return (opens a new tab)

11. Second Stage

    The crew tried to approach Titan II’s spent second stage. They lacked radar for precise range measurements, and McDivitt eventually turned to the spacewalk.

    NASA: Gemini 4’s mission and recovery (opens a new tab)

12. Thermal Glove

    A protective overglove escaped through Gemini 4’s open hatch. Once free, it continued orbiting Earth instead of returning inside the capsule.

    Did you know?

    The loose glove remained in orbit for a few months before reentering Earth’s atmosphere and burning up, according to NASA’s EVA chronology.

    p. 3 · NASA EVA chronology: lines, glove and window (opens a new tab)

13. USS Wasp

    USS Wasp was Gemini 4’s recovery carrier. Its helicopter crew collected McDivitt and White after splashdown and brought them aboard on June 7, 1965.

    NASA: Gemini 4’s mission and recovery (opens a new tab)

14. Windshield

    White accidentally smeared McDivitt’s window during the spacewalk. From inside the capsule, McDivitt used that view to watch and photograph him.

    NASA EVA chronology: lines, glove and window (opens a new tab) · NASA: the zip gun and McDivitt’s camera (opens a new tab)

15. Zip Gun

    An informal name for the Hand-Held Maneuvering Unit.

    White’s maneuvering device expelled pressurized oxygen to give him small pushes. After its supply ran out, he relied on body movements and the tether.

    NASA: the zip gun and McDivitt’s camera (opens a new tab) · NASA gallery: Gemini 4 and White’s visor (opens a new tab)