Space History Photo: McCandless on Arm in Aft Payload Bay

Astronaut Bruce McCandless II tests a Mobile Foot Restraint during a 1984 mission. (Image credit: NASA.)

In this historical photo from the U.S. space agency, Astronaut Bruce McCandless II, STS-41B mission specialist, tests a Mobile Foot Restraint (MFR) attached to the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

McCandless appears to be walking on cargo, but is realy being flown over it by the combination MFR and RMS. His helmet visor reflects parts of the payload bay that can't be seen in the larger portion of the photo. Behind him can be seen both the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pods.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the U.S. government agency in charge of the civilian space program as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Founded in 1958, NASA is a civilian space agency aimed at exploring the universe with space telescopes, satellites, robotic spacecraft, astronauts and more. The space agency has 10 major centers based across the U.S. and launches robotic and crewed missions from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida. Its astronaut corps is based at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. To follow NASA's latest mission, follow the space agency on Twitter or any other social channel, visit: nasa.gov.