Bruce McCandless II: Space Exploration (BBL Grade 5, Unit 1)

Who was Bruce McCandless II, and what was his most famous achievement?

• The first astronaut to walk on the Moon

• The first astronaut to perform an untethered spacewalk

• The commander of the first Space Shuttle launch

• The first astronaut to live on the International Space Station

What piece of equipment did McCandless use to move freely in space?

• Space Shuttle orbiter

• Lunar Module

• Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)

• Jetpack invented by NASA in 2000

What year did his untethered spacewalk take place?

• 1969

• 1975

• 1984

• 1996

Why was his spacewalk considered a “first” in history?

• He was the first astronaut to repair a satellite

• He walked farther than any astronaut before

• He floated in space without any tether or connection

• He discovered new planets

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Why do you think NASA chose Bruce McCandless II for this dangerous mission?

• He was the youngest astronaut at NASA

• He had trained for years and was highly trusted

• He was related to Neil Armstrong

• He volunteered at the last minute

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How might Bruce have felt when floating alone in space?

• Excited but nervous about the risks

• Angry about the mission’s challenges

• Bored because spacewalking was routine

• Confused because he was untrained

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What risks were involved in using the MMU for the first time?

• Running out of fuel and drifting away

• Losing communication with Earth

• The MMU exploding upon launch

• Colliding with another astronaut

How do you think his achievement influenced how the public viewed space exploration?

• People thought space was too dangerous to explore

• People lost interest because it was routine

• People saw space exploration as thrilling and courageous

• People wanted astronauts to stop going into space

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The passage uses the word tethered. What does this word mean in space?

• To be tied or connected with a safety line

• To be floating freely without control

• To launch into orbit

• To communicate by radio

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Which word describes how astronauts move in space?

• Orbit

• Maneuver

• Mission

• Shuttle