The eight-minute back flip used to protect the Space Shuttle

Space · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before docking with the International Space Station, the Space Shuttle Discovery performed a precise maneuver to ensure its structural integrity remained intact.

This procedure, known as the Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver or R-bar Pitch Maneuver, involves the orbiter performing an approximate eight-minute back flip. The purpose of this rotation is to allow the crew on the International Space Station to photograph the upper and lower surfaces of the shuttle, checking for any potential damage before the hatch is opened.

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