The precise choreography of a shuttle's backflip in orbit
In short: Watch the high-stakes maneuvers of the Space Shuttle Discovery as it performs a complex backflip to dock with the International Space Station. This video captures the technical precision required for orbital rendezvous and the final moments of the shuttle's arrival.
The footage highlights the Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver (or R-bar Pitch Maneuver), an approximate eight-minute backflip performed by Discovery. This maneuver allows the ISS crew to inspect the shuttle's upper and lower surfaces for damage through the Zvezda Service Module windows.
After the check, the shuttle Discovery joined the Harmony node's front Pressurized Mating Adapter 2. The sequence concludes with the crew being welcomed aboard by members of Expedition 26.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: STS-133 Flight Day 3 Highlights - STS-133 Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver, Docking & Hatch Opening
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