7-9 April 1983: Musgrave & Peterson conducted the first extravehicular activity (E.V.A., "spacewalk") of the Space Shuttle program, debuting & test flying the new Extravehicular Mobility Unit (E.M.U.) spacesuits; this was the first American spacewalk since Skylab 4 (February 1974); payloads included three Getaway Special canisters; after 81 orbits, the Challenger landed at California's Edwards A.F.B.
As of this writing, E.M.U. are still used by American & international astronauts on the International Space Station. The new type of spacesuits for the planned Artemis Moon landings are not projected to be ready until 2026 at the earliest.
Bonus! Space Age Song o' the Day: S.T.S.-6
William Shatner featuring Dave Davies, "Mr. Spaceman" from Seeking Major Tom (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)
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