It’s fascinating to hear Bruce McCandless’ thoughts about his iconic spacewalk and the photo that captured that moment. He reflects on the photo’s appeal and how it represents humanity’s desire for freedom from gravity and the ability to explore the cosmos.
When asked about his experience during the spacewalk, McCandless mentions feeling extremely cold once he got away from the shuttle. The cooling system in his suit was designed for a warm environment when doing physical work, but in this untethered walk, he wasn’t generating much heat. However, despite the challenges, he describes the experience as fun.
McCandless also shares his perspective on seeing Earth from space. He believes that looking down on our planet alters an astronaut’s perception, as they realize the absence of political subdivisions and wonder why we can’t learn to work together and get along as inhabitants of spaceship Earth.
Regarding the possibility of returning to the moon or going to Mars, McCandless acknowledges the commercialization of space transportation and the role of the government in pioneering space exploration. He mentions the Orion spacecraft and its potential to take humans to the moons of Mars as a first step. He also notes the importance of understanding whether there is life on Mars before landing humans there.
Overall, McCandless’s reflections provide insight into his experience as an astronaut and his thoughts on the future of space exploration.