Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage conditions may apply Usage conditions may apply

This tether umbilical cord was used to connect astronaut Ed White to the Gemini 4 capsule during his historic "walk in space" in June 1965, which was the first time an American astronaut left the confines of the capsule.

It is constructed of a nylon layer covered with a heat-treated gold layer (to prevent peeling), which contained a 1/2 inch flat nylon tether, a silicone rubber oxygen hose and four electrical connectors and one communications lead. It is 23.5 feet long with an exterior diameter of 2 inches. It has a tensile strength of 350 pounds, while the tether has a tensile strength of 1,000 pounds. It was connected to the right hand side of the capsule with the other end attached to the "D" ring of the parachute harness.

NASA transferred this to the Museum in 1967.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Destination Moon at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Destination Moon
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Life Support Astronaut Edward H. White, II
 Manufacturer Garrett AirResearch
 Dimensions 3-D: 840.7 x 1.9cm, 3.7kg (27 ft. 7 in. x 3/4 in., 8 3/16lb.)
Overall (Wrapped in bundle): 101.6 × 81.3 × 6.3cm (3 ft. 4 in. × 2 ft. 8 in. × 2 1/2 in.)
 Materials Exterior: Gold-coated plastic tape, Plastic, Synthetic Rubber
Next layer: Dupont 702 nylon. Interior: 1/2" nylon tether, Silicone rubber hose (oxygen), four electrical and one communications leads
Tether Clips: Steel, Aluminum, Plastic
 Inventory Number A19670212000 Credit Line Transferred from NASA, Manned Spacecraft Center Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.