Space Shuttle Docking with the Destiny Laboratory STATION EXTERNAL AIR LOCK About 200 miles above earth the International Space Station prepares for arrival of the Space Shuttle Orbiter. The two will dock by joining their external airlocks at the Station Vestibule, the entrance for the astronauts.

Station Docking Equipment DESTINY ISS EXTERNAL AIRLOCK INTERNAL AIRLOCK

Station Docking Equipment Airlocks are identical on the Space Station and the Orbiter. The outer ring of the Station airlock is extended to meet the outer ring from the Orbiter airlock. The Orbiter then captures the Station ring and retracts to close up tightly with the Space Station.

Shuttle Orbiter External Airlock ORBITER EXTERNAL AIRLOCK is a mirror image of the one on the Space Station. TRUSS PAYLOAD BAY

The Orbiter will lock onto the Space Station MOTOR DRIVEN GUIDE PETALS (TYPICAL OF 3) CAPTURE LATCH (TYPICAL OF 3) EXTENDABLE RING LOCKS

Orbiter approaches the Station from 600 ft.

The Orbiter is in charge of the docking maneuver The Orbiter is in charge of the docking maneuver. Thirty feet from the Station it stops to check alignment of the docking rings, then goes on to Capture and Lock at a speed of only 1/10 ft. Per sec. INNER AIRLOCK HATCH DESTINY LABORATORY EXTERNAL AIRLOCK ISS DOCKING RING TRUSS ORBITER DOCKING RING CARGO DOOR ORBITER PAYLOAD BAY

The Orbiter pulls airlocks together for docking DESTINY LABORATORY AIR LOCKS JOINED ORBITER

Inside the Orbiter the inner airlock hatch is opened and you see the door to the Station

Say HELLO to new Space Station friends