Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
2 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
February 12th 1984, astronaut Bruce McCandless (Original Post) BootinUp Aug 2023 OP
That's a ways away. Nitrogen powered propulsion underpants Aug 2023 #1
Robert Stewart also flew the MMU on that flight. LastDemocratInSC Aug 2023 #2

underpants

(186,647 posts)
1. That's a ways away. Nitrogen powered propulsion
Thu Aug 10, 2023, 12:04 PM
Aug 2023
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_Maneuvering_Unit

There were 24 nozzle thrusters placed at different locations on the MMU. To operate the propulsion system, the astronaut used their fingertips to manipulate hand controllers at the ends of the MMU's two arms. The right controller produced rotational acceleration for roll, pitch, and yaw. The left controller produced translational acceleration for moving forward-back, up-down, and left-right. Coordination of the two controllers produced intricate movements in the unit. Once a desired orientation was achieved, the astronaut could engage an automatic attitude-hold function that maintained the inertial attitude of the unit in flight. This freed both hands for work.

LastDemocratInSC

(3,829 posts)
2. Robert Stewart also flew the MMU on that flight.
Thu Aug 10, 2023, 02:55 PM
Aug 2023

Interesting but unrelated fact about Mccandless: His grandfather and father won the Medal of Honor in WW1 and WW2, respectively. They, and Bruce, served in the Navy.

Latest Discussions»Culture Forums»Science»February 12th 1984, astro...