Part VII: Quite a Bit Harder Than Parallel Parking

by KYW's Michelle Durham

Once NASA astronauts get the shuttle successfully into orbit, their next challenge often is to dock it successfully to the International Space Station.

I was taught how to do that in a domed NASA lab that has the look and feel of a science-fiction movie -- but it's an important tool for training astronauts.

George Frank, a rendezvous crew instructor, was my teacher. He explains the difference between flying and docking the shuttle:

"During entry, you are trying to fly very smooth, so you are keeping your hands on the stick and you're trying to be very smooth and continuous with your inputs. Here, each pulse that you make is an individual decision."

As I found out, the 100-ton shuttle comes in from below and slowly rises up to dock with the 300-ton space station.

(Durham:)  "Over to the left, perhaps?"

(Frank:) "Yeah, just one pulse over to the left..."

(Durham:)  "And... we're going for capture..."

(Frank:) "Yes.  So that button there that has the velcro on it, press it when we get to two inches. There's eight, four...two, now! Capture."

(Sound of docking.)

Piece of cake.


(Photo by KYW's Michelle Durham)