![Astronaut Bruce McCandless II approaches his maximum distance from the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger in this 70mm photo from Feb. 7, 198](https://petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2024/02/Iconic-Photo-of-NASAs-Space-Shuttle-Era-Turns-40-Years-Old-300x157.jpg)
Inspiring, Iconic Photos of NASA’s Space Shuttle Era Turn 40 Years Old
On February 7, 1984, astronaut Hoot Gibson aimed his camera out of the crew cabin window of the space shuttle Challenger towards Bruce McCandless II as he floated freely in space. What resulted is one of the most, if not the most, iconic photos and most requested images. It turns 40 years old this week.