Bruce McCandless obit

Former astronaut McCandless dies at 80

He was not on the list.

Former NASA astronaut and longtime Conifer resident Bruce McCandless died last Thursday in California. He was 80. Bruce McCandless II was a U.S. naval officer and aviator, electrical engineer, and NASA astronaut. In 1984, during the first of his two Space Shuttle missions, he made the first untethered free flight by using the Manned Maneuvering Unit.

In a Dec. 22 statement announcing McCandless’ death, acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot said the agency sent its thoughts and prayers to McCandless’ family and noted that McCandless “will always be known for his iconic photo flying the (Manned Maneuvering Unit).”