The First U.S. Spacewalk - Gemini 4

Ed White made the United States' first spacewalk on 03 June 1965 during the Gemini 4 mission. The extra-vehicular activity (EVA) started at 19:45 UT (3:45 p.m. EDT) on the third orbit when White opened his hatch and used the hand-held manuevering oxygen-jet gun to push himself out of the capsule. The EVA started over the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii and lasted 23 minutes, ending over the Gulf of Mexico. Initially, White propelled himself to the end of the 8 meter tether and back to the spacecraft three times using the hand-held gun. After the first three minutes the fuel ran out and White manuevered by twisting his body and pulling on the tether. The photographs were taken by commander James McDivitt.

19:45 UT (3:45 p.m. EDT)

The first photograph of the EVA as Ed White backs away from the Gemini spacecraft over the Pacific Ocean northeast of Hawaii.

(NASA photo ID S65-30431)

High Resolution JPEG Version (3.6 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (7.2 Mb)



19:49 UT (3:49 p.m. EDT)

This photograph was taken early in the EVA over a cloud-covered Pacific Ocean. The maneuvering gun is visible in White's right hand.

(NASA photo ID S65-30427)

High Resolution JPEG Version (3.1 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (4.6 Mb)



19:52 UT (3:52 p.m. EDT)

Ed White in space as Gemini 4 passes over southern California.

(NASA photo ID S65-30430)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.1 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.5 Mb)



19:54 UT (3:54 p.m. EDT)

Over New Mexico

(NASA photo ID S65-30433)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.8 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.8 Mb)



19:54 UT (3:54 p.m. EDT)

Over New Mexico

(NASA photo ID S65-34635)

High Resolution JPEG Version (1.0 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (1.1 Mb)



19:55 UT (3:55 p.m. EDT)

Over El Paso, Texas

(NASA photo ID S65-30428)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.5 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.5 Mb)



19:59 UT (3:59 p.m. EDT)

Over the Gulf of Mexico

(NASA photo ID S65-30429)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.2 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.6 Mb)



19:59 UT (3:59 p.m. EDT)

Over the Gulf of Mexico

(NASA photo ID S65-30432)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.9 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.5 Mb)



20:00 UT (4:00 p.m. EDT)

Over the Gulf of Mexico

(NASA photo ID S65-34642)

High Resolution JPEG Version (2.4 Mb)

High Resolution TIFF Version (2.5 Mb)



To order hardcopy versions of any of the Gemini images above, contact the NSSDCA Request Office.

In memory of Ed White, 14 November 1930 - 27 January 1967.

Passed away in the tragic Apollo 1 fire.

Author/Curator:

Dr. David R. Williams, dave.williams@nasa.gov

NSSDCA, Mail Code 690.1

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD 20771

+1-301-286-1258

