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The First American to Walk in Space: Remembering Ed White's Historic Spacewalk

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BNN Correspondents
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Astronaut Ed White, the first American to walk in space <br> Image Credit: Fox News

A Milestone Mission

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On June 3, 1965, astronaut Ed White made history when he stepped out of the Gemini 4 capsule and became the first American to walk in space. He was also the first human to use a hand-held maneuvering unit for propulsion in space. His spacewalk lasted about 20 minutes and covered a distance of 6,500 miles as he orbited the Earth.
White's spacewalk was a milestone mission for NASA, as it demonstrated the feasibility of extravehicular activity (EVA) and paved the way for future space exploration. It also marked the first multi-day space flight by the United States and the first U.S. spaceflight in which astronauts performed experiments.
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White was one of the nine astronauts selected for the Gemini program, which aimed to develop the skills and technologies needed for the Apollo program's goal of landing humans on the moon. He was assigned as the pilot of Gemini 4, along with his commander James McDivitt.
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A Thrilling Experience

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White's spacewalk was not originally planned for the Gemini 4 mission, but was added after the Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov performed the first ever spacewalk on March 18, 1965. NASA wanted to catch up with its rival and show that it could also perform EVA.
White was eager to do the spacewalk, as he had been fascinated by the idea of flying in space since he was a child. He had followed his father's footsteps and became a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, flying jet fighters in Germany and experimental aircraft in Ohio. He joined NASA as an astronaut in 1962 and trained for zero-gravity flights and EVA.
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On the third orbit of Gemini 4, White opened the hatch and pushed himself out of the capsule using a hand-held maneuvering unit that emitted bursts of oxygen. The device allowed him to control his motion and orientation in space, but it ran out of fuel after three minutes. White then relied on his tether and umbilical cord to move around the spacecraft.
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White was amazed by the view of Earth and space from his helmet's visor, which was gold-plated to protect him from the sun's glare. He described his experience as "the most natural feeling" and "the most comfortable part" of the mission. He also said that he felt like "a million dollars" and "a free bird".
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White enjoyed his spacewalk so much that he was reluctant to return to the capsule when McDivitt ordered him to do so. He asked for a few more minutes, but McDivitt insisted that he had to come back before their communication with Mission Control was lost. White reluctantly complied and said "It's the saddest moment of my life."

A Tragic End

White's spacewalk made him a national hero and a celebrity. He received numerous awards and honors, including NASA's Exceptional Service Medal and the Air Force's Distinguished Flying Cross. He also appeared on the cover of LIFE magazine and was interviewed by various media outlets.
White was later selected as the senior pilot of Apollo 1, the first manned mission of the Apollo program. He was joined by his fellow astronauts Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee. They were scheduled to launch on February 21, 1967, but tragedy struck during a launch rehearsal test on January 27.
A fire broke out in the Apollo command module due to an electrical spark and faulty wiring. The fire quickly spread due to the high-pressure pure oxygen atmosphere inside the module. The astronauts tried to escape, but they were trapped by a complex hatch mechanism that required several steps to open. They died of asphyxiation within minutes.
The Apollo 1 fire shocked and saddened the nation and prompted NASA to conduct a thorough investigation and redesign of the command module. The Apollo program was delayed for more than a year, but eventually resumed with improved safety measures and achieved its goal of landing humans on the moon in 1969.
White's legacy lives on in NASA's history and culture. He is remembered as a pioneer of space exploration and a courageous astronaut who pushed the boundaries of human potential. In 2015, he was posthumously awarded NASA's Ambassador of Exploration Award, which recognizes astronauts who have made significant contributions to America's space program.
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