22. [Gemini IV] FIRST U.S. SPACEWALK: Ed White Floating Above the Clouds Over Southern California James McDivitt, 3-7 June 1965 Printed 1965. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-65-30427]. Numbered "NASA S-65-30427" in red the top margin, with "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context A fabulous photograph of Ed White in outer space, the third taken by James McDivitt from the Gemini spacecraft during the first US spacewalk. Tethered by a looping, golden umbilical cord, Ed White moved freely 100 miles above Earth for 21 minutes. Using the guidance gun in his right hand, he manoeuvred at will until its compressed oxygen ran out. He thus became the world's first propelled space man. Though orbiting at 17,500 miles an hour, the spacewalker "had little sensation of speed and no sensation of falling, only a feeling of accomplishment" (National Geographic, September 1965, p. 440). McDivitt was eager to capture this extraordinary scene: "I ought to be getting some tremendous pictures of you. Let me try again with the Hasselblad." "This was a picture taken by my teammate, James McDivitt, on the third revolution of Gemini IV. I had a specially designed spacesuit which had 21 layers of thermal and micrometeoroid protection. My face was protected by a double gold-plated visor which provided protection from the unfiltered rays of the Sun. In my hand I held a small self-manoeuvring unit which gave me control of my movements in space. On my chest was an oxygen chest pack that regulated the flow of oxygen to my suit and provided an 8-minute supply of emergency oxygen. I was secured to the spacecraft by a 25-foot umbilical line and a 23-foot tether line, which were secured together and wrapped with a golden tape for thermal insulation. On the top of the Hand Held Self-Manoeuvring Unit was mounted a 35mm camera to record the event from outside the spacecraft." Ed White (Cortright, p. 151) From the mission transcript (photograph taken at 004:34:45 after launch): 004:34:24 McDivitt: Okay. Let me get some ..... to you, Ed. I ought to be getting some tremendous pictures of you. Let me try again with the Hasselblad. 004:34:31 White: Okay. I think I've exhausted my air now. 004:34:33 McDivitt: Okay. 004:34:36 McDivitt: Stay right there. 004:34:40 White: I had very good control with it. I just needed more air (on the self-manoeuvring unit). 004:34:45 McDivitt: Okay. Stand by. Let me take a couple of pictures, ole buddy. 004:34:48 White: All right.