Bruce McCandless, first astronaut to fly untethered, dies at age 80

A 1984 photo shows the first untethered spacewalk by Nasa astronaut Bruce McCandless.
A 1984 photo shows the first untethered spacewalk by Nasa astronaut Bruce McCandless.PHOTO: AFP
McCandless in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device.
McCandless in the midst of the first "field" tryout of a nitrogen-propelled backpack device.PHOTO: AFP
Nasa astronaut Bruce McCandless, who has died aged 80.
Nasa astronaut Bruce McCandless, who has died aged 80.PHOTO: AFP
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