Space Shuttle Docking Operations

Images of Space Shuttles docking with the International Space Station against a backdrop of Earth, showcasing various mission details.

October 25, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:40 a.m. (CDT) on October 25, 2007. The Harmony node is visible in Discovery's cargo bay.

ISS005-E-21543 (25 November 2002) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station (ISS) during STS-113 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 3:59 p.m. (CST) on November 25, 2002. The Port One (P1) truss, which was later to be attached to the station and outfitted during three spacewalks, can be seen in Endeavour's cargo bay.

October 25, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:40 a.m. (CDT) on October 25, 2007. The Harmony node is visible in Discovery's cargo bay.

ISS005-E-05047 (15 June 2002) --- As seen through a window on the International Space Station (ISS), the Space Shuttle Endeavour is photographed shortly after its separation from the station. The undocking occurred at 9:32 a.m. (CDT) on June 15, 2002.

ISS016-E-006295 (25 Oct. 2007) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:40 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 25, 2007. The Harmony node is visible in Discovery's cargo bay. A Russian spacecraft, docked to the station, is visible at left.

ISS018-E-042056 (17 March 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crewmember as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-119 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 4:20 p.m. (CDT) on March 17, 2009. The final pair of power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment are visible in Discoverys cargo bay. A Russian spacecraft docked to the station is visible at left.

NASA5-329-023 (26 Sept. 1997) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis is seen from the point of view of Russias Mir Space Station in this 35mm frame exposed during rendezvous operations. The astronauts of STS-86 and the cosmonauts of Mir-24 went on to spend several days in joint activities while the spacecraft were docked. The American crew also changed out guest researchers aboard the Mir, replacing C. Michael Foale with David A. Wolf.

S125-E-009201 (17 May 2009) --- Astronaut Michael Good, STS-125 mission specialist, rides Atlantis' remote manipulator system arm to the exact position he needs to be to continue work on the Hubble Space Telescope. Astronaut Mike Massimino, who shared two spacewalks with Good during the last week, is out of frame.

ISS015-E-12917 (10 June 2007) --- Backdropped by rugged Earth terrain, the Space Shuttle Atlantis approaches the International Space Station during STS-117 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:36 p.m. (CDT) on June 10, 2007. A pair of solar arrays and starboard truss segments (S3/S4), which are later to be attached to the station and outfitted during three spacewalks, can be seen in Atlantis' cargo bay. A docked Soyuz spacecraft is visible at right.

STS116-320-001 (9-22 Dec. 2006) --- Backdropped by the horizon of a blue and white Earth and the blackness of space, part of the Space Shuttle Discovery's aft cargo bay, its vertical stabilizer and orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are seen in this image photographed by an STS-116 crewmember onboard the shuttle. This image was recorded with a 35mm film-equipped camera.

ISS005-E-16973 (9 October 2002) --- Backdropped against a blue and white Earth, this view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was photographed by an Expedition Five crewmember onboard the International Space Station (ISS) during rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 10:17 a.m. (CDT) on October 9, 2002. The Starboard One (S-1) Truss, which was later attached to the station and outfitted during three spacewalks, can be seen in Atlantis cargo bay.

ISS028-E-015832 (10 July 2011) --- The space shuttle Atlantis is pictured over clouds prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station at 10:07 a.m. (CDT).

ISS018-E-040597 (17 March 2009) --- An overhead view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Discovery's crew cabin, part of its payload bay doors and docking system was provided by Expedition 18 crewmembers on the International Space Station. Before docking with the station, astronaut Lee Archambault, STS-119 commander, flew the shuttle through a Rendezvous Pitch Maneuver or basically a backflip to allow the space station crew a good view of Discovery's heat shield. Using digital still cameras equipped with both 400 and 800 millimeter lenses, the ISS crewmembers took a number of photos of the shuttle's thermal protection system and sent them down to teams on the ground for analysis. A 800 millimeter lens was used for this image.

ISS005-E-05051 (15 June 2002) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the Space Shuttle Endeavour is photographed shortly after its separation from the International Space Station (ISS). The undocking occurred at 9:32 a.m. (CDT) on June 15, 2002.

ISS016-E-032317 (12 March 2008) --- A close-up view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Endeavour's crew cabin, starboard wing and payload bay door was provided by Expedition 16 crewmembers on the International Space Station (ISS). Before docking with the station, astronaut Dominic Gorie, STS-123 commander, flew the shuttle through a roll pitch maneuver or basically a backflip to allow the space station crew a good view of Endeavour's heat shield. Using digital still cameras equipped with both 400 and 800 millimeter lenses, the ISS crewmembers took a number of photos of the shuttle's thermal protection system and sent them down to teams on the ground for analysis. A 400 millimeter lens was used for this image.

October 25, 2007 - Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:40 a.m. (CDT) on October 25, 2007. The Harmony node is visible in Discovery's cargo bay. A Russian spacecraft, docked to the station, is visible at left.

Overhead View of Space Shuttle Discovery's Crew Cabin

July 6, 2006 - Space Shuttle Discovery in orbit.

iss064e041250 (March 11, 2021) --- An external pallet packed with old nickel-hydrogen batteries is released from the Canadarm2 robotic arm as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. Mission controllers in Houston commanded the Canadarm2 to release the external pallet into space where it will orbit Earth between two to four years before burning up harmlessly in the atmosphere. The batteries were removed during previous spacewalks and replaced with newer lithium-ion batteries to continue powering the station's systems.

ISS015-E-11705 (10 June 2007) --- A nadir view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was photographed by a member of the Expedition 15 crew aboard the International Space Station as the two spacecraft were nearing their much-anticipated link-up in Earth orbit. The 17.8 ton S3/S4 truss to be added next week to the station can be seen berthed in the payload bay of the shuttle.

ISS016-E-006355 (25 Oct. 2007) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 16 crewmember during a backflip maneuver performed by the approaching visitors (STS-120) to the International Space Station.

August 10, 2007 - This view of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, clearly shows its payload bay and upper surfaces. The image was photographed by one of the Expedition 15 crewmembers aboard the International Space Station shortly before the two vehicles docked in Earth orbit. Endeavour is contributing toward space station construction by delivering a third starboard truss segment, S5, and supplies inside the SPACEHAB module (in the center of the bay) and the external stowage platform 3.

Space Shuttle Atlantis as Seen by the International Space Station

ISS004-E-13287 (7 June 2002) --- The Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station (ISS) in this digital still camera's view, recorded on June 7, 2002. The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), known as Leonardo, is visible in Endeavour's payload bay. Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut, currently onboard the shuttle, will replace two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut now on the station.

ISS017-E-008705 (2 June 2008) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-124 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:03 p.m. (EDT) on June 2, 2008. The second component of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's Kibo laboratory, the Japanese Pressurized Module (JPM) is visible in Discovery's cargo bay.

ISS026-E-030198 (26 Feb. 2011) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, space shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-133 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:14 p.m. (EST) on Feb. 26, 2011.

ISS022-E-068864 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This view of the space shuttle Endeavour, taken on Feb. 9 from the International Space Station as the two spacecraft conducted their rendezvous operations, was downlinked by the Expedition 22 crew on Feb. 19. The Tranquility node and the Cupola are just out of view in the aft part of shuttle's payload bay.

ISS022-E-060656 (9 Feb. 2010) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, space shuttle Endeavour is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 22 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-130 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 11:06 p.m. (CST) on Feb. 9, 2010. A Russian spacecraft, docked to the station, is visible at right.

ISS020-E-036847 (30 Aug. 2009) --- Space Shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 20 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-128 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:54 p.m. (CDT) on Aug. 30, 2009. The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is visible in Discoverys cargo bay.

ISS018-E-042037 (17 March 2009) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crewmember as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-119 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 4:20 p.m. (CDT) on March 17, 2009. The final pair of power-generating solar array wings and the S6 truss segment are visible in Discoverys cargo bay.

ISS028-E-015599 (10 July 2011) --- This is one of a series of images showing various parts of the space shuttle Atlantis in Earth orbit as photographed by one of three crew members -- half the station crew -- who were equipped with still cameras for this purpose on the International Space Station as the shuttle posed” for photos and visual surveys and performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). A 1000 millimeter lens was used to capture this particular series of images.

ISS004-E-10082 (17 April 2002) --- Backdropped over clouds some 247 statutemiles below, the Space Shuttle Atlantiswas photographed with a digital still camera shortly after its separation fromthe International Space Station (ISS).A big empty space now replaces the "look" in the cargo bay of a scene one and half weeks ago showing the giant S0 (S-zero) truss in the cargo bay as the shuttle prepared to dock with the station. The S0 truss is now part of the orbital outpost.

ISS022-E-059288 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This partial view of the crew cabin and forward payload bay of the space shuttle Endeavour was provided by an Expedition 22 crew member during a survey of the approaching vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, the STS-130 Endeavour crew performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).

ISS023-E-044536 (16 May 2010) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, space shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-132 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 9:28 a.m. (CDT) on May 16, 2010. A portion of a docked Russian spacecraft is visible at top.

Apollo 9 - The Final Stage of a Saturn V Above the Earth's Atmosphere

ISS023-E-051285 (23 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member on the International Space Station soon after the shuttle and station began their post-undocking relative separation. Undocking of the two spacecraft occurred at 10:22 a.m. (CDT) on May 23, 2010, ending a seven-day stay that saw the addition of a new station module, replacement of batteries and resupply of the orbiting outpost. A blue and white part of Earth provides the backdrop for the scene.

ISS026-E-030343 (26 Feb. 2011) --- This partial view of the wing and aft part of the payload bay of the space shuttle Discovery was provided by an Expedition 26 crew member during a survey of the approaching STS-133 vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Discovery performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). Part of the Express Logistics Carrier 4 (ELC4) and the cylinder-shaped, Italian-built Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM) are seen in the cargo bay. The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 1000mm lens.

ISS033-E-005115 (16 Sept. 2012) --- The Soyuz TMA-04M spacecraft departs from the International Space Station and heads toward a landing in a remote area outside of the town of Arkalyk, Kazakhstan, on Sept. 17, 2012 (Kazakhstan time). Expedition 32 Commander Gennady Padalka of Russia, NASA Flight Engineer Joe Acaba and Russian Flight Engineer Sergei Revin are returning from five months onboard the International Space Station where they served as members of the Expedition 31 and 32 crews.

STS002-13-226 (13 Nov. 1981) --- Backdropped against Earth's horizon and the darkness of space, the space shuttle Columbia's remote manipulator system (RMS) gets its first workout in zero-gravity during the STS-2 mission. A television camera is mounted near the elbow and another is partially visible near the wrist of the RMS.

ISS019-E-021378 (29 May 2009) --- The Soyuz TMA-15 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station, carrying cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, all Expedition 20 flight engineers. The crew launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 5:34 a.m. (CDT), May 27, 2009, and arrived at the station at 7:34 a.m. (CDT) on May 29. Later that day, hatches opened between the two spacecraft, beginning Expedition 20 and six-person crew operations.

ISS010-E-11999 (22 December 2004) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, an unpiloted Progress 15 supply vehicle departs from the International Space Station (ISS) at 1:37 pm (CST) on December 22, 2004, carrying its load of trash and unneeded equipment to be deorbited and burned up in Earths atmosphere. The undocking clears the way for the arrival of a new Progress 16, planned to launch December 23 and dock with the Station on December 25.

ISS018-E-043346 (25 March 2009) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-119) is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 18 crew member on the International Space Station soon after the shuttle and station began their post-undocking relative separation on March 25, 2009.

ISS022-E-068841 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This view of the space shuttle Endeavour, taken on Feb. 9 from the International Space Station as the two spacecraft conducted their rendezvous operations, was downlinked by the Expedition 22 crew on Feb. 19. A Russian spacecraft is docked to the station in the foreground.

ISS013-E-82936 (20 Sept. 2006) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the Soyuz TMA-9 spacecraft approaches the International Space Station. Onboard the spacecraft are astronaut Michael E. Lopez-Alegria, Expedition 14 commander and NASA space station science officer; cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin, Soyuz commander and flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency; and spaceflight participant Anousheh Ansari. With Tyurin at the controls, the Soyuz linked up to the Zvezda Service Module aft port at 12:21 a.m. (CDT) on Sept. 20, 2006. The docking followed Monday's launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

ISS020-E-021519 (17 July 2009) --- This view of the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Endeavour was provided by an Expedition 20 crewmember during a survey of the approaching vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Endeavour performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).

ISS016-E-006311 (25 Oct. 2007) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station during STS-120 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 7:40 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 25, 2007. The Harmony node is visible in Discovery's cargo bay.

ISS023-E-044760 (17 May 2010) --- Space shuttle Atlantis, docked to the International Space Station, is featured in this image photographed by an STS-132 spacewalker during the missions first session of extravehicular activity (EVA). A blue and white part of Earth provides the backdrop for the scene.

STS044-71-011 (25 Nov. 1991) --- A 70mm frame shows pre-deployment view of the Defense Support Payload (DSP), backdropped against a blue and white Earth.

ISS018-E-008539 (16 Nov. 2008) --- An overhead view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Endeavour's crew cabin, part of its payload bay doors and docking system was provided by Expedition 18 crewmembers on the International Space Station. Before docking with the station, astronaut Chris Ferguson, STS-126 commander, flew the shuttle through a roll pitch maneuver or basically a backflip to allow the space station crew a good view of Endeavour's heat shield. Using digital still cameras equipped with both 400 and 800 millimeter lenses, the ISS crewmembers took a number of photos of the shuttle's thermal protection system and sent them down to teams on the ground for analysis. A 400 millimeter lens was used for this image.

ISS047e011906 (03/19/2016) --- NASA and Russian cosmonauts arrive at the international space station Mar 19, 2016. NASA astronaut Jeff Williams and Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka docked to the International Space Station in their Soyuz TMA-20M spacecraft. They will spend 6 months onboard the station carrying out scientific experiments, performing maintenance and other duties.

AS07-03-1531 (11 Oct. 1968) --- The expended Saturn IVB stage as photographed from the Apollo 7 spacecraft during transposition and docking maneuvers. This photograph was taken over Sonora, Mexico, during Apollo 7's second revolution of Earth. The round, white disc inside the open panels of the Saturn IVB is a simulated docking target similar to that used on the lunar module for docking during lunar missions.

ISS022-E-059169 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This image, showing the top of space shuttle Endeavour's crew cabin, its firewall and part of the docking mechanism in the cargo bay, was photographed by one of the Expedition 22 crew members aboard the International Space Station. The two spacecraft were in the midst of rendezvous operations, which included a back-flip by the shuttle for the purposes of inspecting and photographing it from a number of angles.

ISS020-E-021637 (17 July 2009) --- This view of the crew cabin and part of the forward cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Endeavour was provided by an Expedition 20 crewmember during a survey of the approaching STS-127 vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Endeavour performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).

ISS026-E-029825 (26 Feb. 2011) --- This close-up view of the nose of space shuttle Discovery was provided by an Expedition 26 crew member during a survey of the approaching STS-133 vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Discovery performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The station crew member used a digital still camera with an 800mm focal length, as the two spacecraft were approximately 600 feet (180 meters) apart.

An overhead view of the space shuttle Challenger taken by a fixed camera mounted on astronaut Bruce McCandless's helmet during the first extravehicular activity (EVA) using the nitrogen-propelled, hand-controlled, manned maneuvering unit (MMU). The MMU is a device which allows astronauts to move freely in space without a tether. Country: Unknown

ISS026-E-030246 (26 Feb. 2011) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, space shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-133 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:14 p.m. (EST) on Feb. 26, 2011.

Astronauts working on space station while orbiting above the Baltric region on Earth.

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S83-35803 (22 June 1983) --- The Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger against the blackness of space was captured by a 70mm camera onboard the temporarily free-flying Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01) during a busy Day 5 on the STS-7 mission. Visible in the cargo bay are the protective cradles for the now vacated Telesat Anik C2 and Palapa B communications satellites, the pallet for the NASA Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-2); the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and the KU-Band antenna. The STS-7 astronaut crew with the RMS arm later retrieved the SPAS and returned it to a stowed position in the cargo bay for the return to Earth.

ISS022-E-068844 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This view of the space shuttle Endeavour, taken from the International Space Station on Feb. 9 as the two spacecraft conducted their rendezvous operations, was downlinked by the Expedition 22 crew on Feb. 19. The Tranquility node and the Cupola can be clearly seen in the shuttle's payload bay.

ISS011-E-11252 (28 July 2005) --- Backdropped by a blue and white Earth, the Space Shuttle Discovery was photographed by an Expedition 11 crewmember aboard the international space station during rendezvous and docking operations. The Italian-built Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is visible in the Shuttles cargo bay. Discovery docked with the station at 6:18 a.m. (CDT) on Thursday July 28, 2005.

High Oblique photograph (taken over New Mexico) of the Apollo 9 Command/Service Modules taken from the Lunar Module,"Spider",on the fifth day of the Apollo 9 earth-orbital mission. Docking mechanism is visible in nose of the Command Module,"Gumdrop". Object jutting out from the Service Module aft bulkhead is the high-gain S-Band antenna. Film magazine was F, film type was SO-368 Ektachrome with 0.460 - 0.710 micrometers film / filter transmittance response and haze filter,80mm lens. Cloud cover over the Earth is 70%.

ISS014-E-12364 (19 Jan. 2007) --- Backdropped by a blue Earth, an unpiloted Progress supply vehicle approaches the International Space Station. The Progress 24 resupply craft launched at 8:12 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 17, 2007 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan to deliver 2.5 tons of food, fuel, oxygen and other supplies to the Expedition 14 crewmembers onboard the station. Progress automatically docked to the Pirs Docking Compartment at 8:59 p.m. (CST) on Jan. 19 as the spacecraft and the station flew approximately 220 miles above a point near the South Atlantic off the southeast coast of Uruguay.

ISS027-E-032247 (18 May 2011) --- This view of the nose and partial crew cabin of the space shuttle Endeavour was provided by an Expedition 27 crew member during a survey of the approaching STS-134 vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Endeavour performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).

ISS010-E-18818 (27 February 2005) --- Backdropped by a blanket of clouds, an unpiloted Progress 16 supply vehicle departs from the International Space Station (ISS) at 10:06 a.m. (CST) February 27, 2005, carrying its load of trash and unneeded equipment to be deorbited and burned up in Earths atmosphere. The undocking clears the way for the arrival of a new Progress 17, planned to launch February 28 and dock with the Station on March 2.

ISS011-E-11255 (28 July 2005) --- Space shuttle Discovery was about 600 feet from the international space station when cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, Expedition 11 commander, and astronaut John L. Phillips, NASA science officer and flight engineer, photographed the spacecraft as it approached the station and performed a backflip to allow photography of its heat shield. Astronaut Eileen M. Collins, STS-114 commander, guided the shuttle through the flip. The photos will be analyzed by engineers on the ground as additional data to evaluate the condition of Discoverys heat shield. The Italian-built Raffaello Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) is visible in the cargo bay.

ISS015-E-34474 (12 Oct. 2007) --- The Soyuz 15 (TMA-11) approaches the International Space Station, carrying NASA astronaut Peggy A. Whitson, Expedition 16 commander; cosmonaut Yuri I. Malenchenko, Soyuz commander and flight engineer representing Russia's Federal Space Agency; and Malaysian spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor. Whitson and Malenchenko will spend six months on the station, while Shukor will return to Earth Oct. 21 with two of the Expedition 15 crewmembers currently on the complex.

ISS027-E-032624 (18 May 2011) --- One of the Expedition 27 crew members aboard the International Space Station (ISS) recorded this image of the space shuttle Endeavour as the two spacecraft made their relative approach on May 18, 2011. Each spacecraft was occupied by six crew members until the STS-134 astronauts entered the ISS minutes after the docking.

ISS021-E-024522 (12 Nov. 2009) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, the new unpiloted Russian Mini-Research Module 2 (MRM2), also known as Poisk, approaches the International Space Station. The MRM2 docked to the space-facing port of the Zvezda Service Module at 9:41 a.m. (CST) on Nov. 12, 2009. It began its trip to the station when it was launched aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Nov. 10. Poisk is a Russian term that translates to search, seek and explore. It will provide an additional docking port for visiting Russian spacecrafts and will serve as an extra airlock for spacewalkers wearing Russian Orlan spacesuits. Poisk joins a Russian Progress resupply vehicle and two Russian Soyuz spacecraft currently docked at the station.

ISS013-E-48789 (6 July 2006) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery approaches the International Space Station for docking but before the link-up occurred, the orbiter "posed" for a thorough series of inspection photos. Discovery docked at the station's Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 at 9:52 a.m. CDT, July 6, 2006.

ISS023-E-044510 (16 May 2010) --- Backdropped by a colorful Earth, space shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-132 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 9:28 a.m. (CDT) on May 16, 2010. A portion of a docked Russian spacecraft is visible at top.

S129-E-006910 (19 Nov. 2009) --- The aft section of Space Shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an STS-129 crew member aboard the International Space Station.

ISS016-E-032319 (12 March 2008) --- A close-up view of the exterior of Space Shuttle Endeavour's nose, port wing and payload bay door was provided by Expedition 16 crewmembers on the International Space Station (ISS). Before docking with the station, astronaut Dominic Gorie, STS-123 commander, flew the shuttle through a roll pitch maneuver or basically a backflip to allow the space station crew a good view of Endeavour's heat shield. Using digital still cameras equipped with both 400 and 800 millimeter lenses, the ISS crewmembers took a number of photos of the shuttle's thermal protection system and sent them down to teams on the ground for analysis. A 400 millimeter lens was used for this image.

ISS016-E-034191 (31 March 2008) --- Backdropped by the airglow of Earth's horizon and the blackness of space, the Jules Verne Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) approaches the International Space Station on Monday, March 31, 2008, for its "Demo Day 2" practice maneuvers. It moved to within 36 feet of the Zvezda Service Module in a rehearsal for docking on Thursday.

ISS022-E-068856 (9 Feb. 2010) --- This view of the space shuttle Endeavour, taken on Feb. 9 from the International Space Station as the two spacecraft conducted their rendezvous operations, was downlinked by the Expedition 22 crew on Feb. 19. The Tranquility node and the Cupola can be seen in the shuttle's payload bay.

ISS028-E-018039 (19 July 2011) --- This picture of the space shuttle Atlantis was photographed from the International Space Station as the orbiting complex and the shuttle performed their relative separation in the early hours of July 19, 2011. The Raffaello multi-purpose logistics module, which transported tons of supplies to the complex, can be seen in the cargo bay. It is filled with different materials from the station for return to Earth. Onboard the station were Russian cosmonauts Andrey Borisenko, Expedition 28 commander; Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev, both flight engineers; Japan Aerospace Exploration astronaut Satoshi Furukawa, and NASA astronauts Mike Fossum and Ron Garan, all flight engineers. Onboard the shuttle were NASA astronauts Chris Ferguson, STS-135 commander; Doug Hurley, pilot; Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim, both mission specialists.

ISS026-E-030300 (26 Feb. 2011) --- Backdropped by a blue and white part of Earth, space shuttle Discovery is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 26 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-133 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:14 p.m. (EST) on Feb. 26, 2011.

S114-E-6918 (3 August 2005) --- Astronaut Stephen K. Robinson, STS-114 mission specialist, anchored to a foot restraint on the extended International Space Station;s Canadarm2, participates in the mission;s third session of extravehicular activity (EVA). The blackness of space and Earth;s horizon form the backdrop for the image.

ISS015-E-12916 (10 June 2007) --- Backdropped by rugged Earth terrain, the Space Shuttle Atlantis approaches the International Space Station during STS-117 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 2:36 p.m. (CDT) on June 10, 2007. A pair of solar arrays and starboard truss segments (S3/S4), which are later to be attached to the station and outfitted during three spacewalks, can be seen in Atlantis' cargo bay. A docked Soyuz spacecraft is visible at right.

ISS028-E-015600 (10 July 2011) --- This is one of a series of images showing various parts of the space shuttle Atlantis in Earth orbit as photographed by one of three crew members -- half the station crew -- who were equipped with still cameras for this purpose on the International Space Station as the shuttle posed” for photos and visual surveys and performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). A 1000 millimeter lens was used to capture this particular series of images.

STS-7, Orbiter Challenger in orbit, taken from camera aboard Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS) Germany

STS079-821-036 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- Following the Space Shuttle Atlantis - Russian Mir Space Station undocking activities, a crew member captured this 70mm frame of Mir as the two crews shared their final common sunset scene. This photograph is one of four 70mm frames (along with fifteen 35mm frames) of still photography documenting the activities of NASA's STS-79 mission, which began with a September 16, 1996, liftoff from Launch Pad 39A the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and ended with a landing at KSC on September 26, 1996. Onboard for the launch were astronauts William F. Readdy, commander; Terrence W. Wilcutt, pilot; John E. Blaha, Jerome (Jay) Apt, Thomas D. Akers and Carl E. Walz, all mission specialists. On flight day 4, the crew docked with Mir. Shannon W. Lucid, who had spent six months aboard Mir, switched cosmonaut guest researcher roles with Blaha. The latter joined fellow Mir-22 crew members Valeri G. Korzun, commander, and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, flight engineer.

. iss068e025141 (Nov. 27, 2022) --- The SpaceX Dragon cargo craft, loaded with over 7,700 pounds of science, supplies, and cargo, approaches the International Space Station for a docking 264 miles above the Atlantic ocean in between South America and Africa.

ISS005-E-21546 (25 November 2002) --- Backdropped by a blanket of clouds, the Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station (ISS) during STS-113 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 3:59 p.m. (CST) on November 25, 2002. The Port One (P1) truss, which was later to be attached to the station and outfitted during three spacewalks, can be seen in Endeavour's cargo bay.

ISS011-E-14107 (3 Oct. 2005) --- Backdropped by the blackness of space and Earths horizon, the Soyuz TMA-7 spacecraft approaches the international space station. Onboard the spacecraft are astronaut William S. McArthur, Jr., Expedition 12 commander and NASA science officer; cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev, Expedition 12 flight engineer and Soyuz commander; and U. S. Spaceflight Participant Gregory Olsen. The Soyuz linked up to the Pirs Docking Compartment at 12:27 a.m. (CDT) on Oct. 3, 2005 as the two spacecraft flew over eastern Asia. The docking followed Fridays launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

Connected Zarya And Unity Modules Form The International Space Station. Assembled In Space By The Crew Of The Space Shuttle Endeavor

ISS033-E-011397 (10 Oct. 2012) --- The SpaceX Dragon commercial cargo craft makes its relative approach to the International Space Station prior to grapple by the stations Canadarm2 robotic arm, controlled by Expedition 33 crew members.

ISS018-E-008677 (16 Nov. 2008) --- Backdropped by a cloud-covered part of Earth, Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station during STS-126 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 4:01 p.m. (CST) on Nov. 16, 2008. The Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module is visible in Endeavour's cargo bay with over 14,000 pounds of cargo for the space station.

ISS026-E-029954 (26 Feb. 2011) --- This view of the crew cabin and forward payload bay of the space shuttle Discovery was provided by an Expedition 26 crew member during a survey of the approaching STS-133 vehicle prior to docking with the International Space Station. As part of the survey and part of every mission's activities, Discovery performed a back-flip for the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM). The image was photographed with a digital still camera, using a 400mm lens at a distance of about 600 feet (180 meters).

Rear View of Space Shuttle Discovery from International Space Station

ISS038-E-042674 (5 Feb. 2014) --- An unpiloted ISS Progress resupply vehicle approaches the International Space Station, carrying 2.8 tons of food, fuel and supplies for the Expedition 38 crew members. The Progress 54 spacecraft launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:23 a.m. (10:23 p.m. Baikonur time) and completed its four-orbit trek at 5:22 p.m. (EST) when it docked automatically to the station's Pirs docking compartment.

ISS01-E-5385 (16 February 2001) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis was photographed by the three-man Expedition One crew aboard the International Space Station(ISS) shortly after the shuttle and the outpost unlinked following several days of joint operations of the two crews. The scene, backdropped against a mass of white clouds on Earth, was recorded with a digital still camera.

. iss069e088419 (Sept. 15, 2023) --- The Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft carrying three crew members approaches the International Space Station for a docking to the Rassvet module. Nearly three-and-half hours after launching from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub, would open the Soyuz hatch, enter the station, and begin their space research mission.

ISS023-E-044490 (16 May 2010) --- Backdropped by a blanket of clouds, space shuttle Atlantis is featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 23 crew member as the shuttle approaches the International Space Station during STS-132 rendezvous and docking operations. Docking occurred at 9:28 a.m. (CDT) on May 16, 2010.

STS064-90-031 (9-20 Sept. 1994) --- Backdropped against the darkness of space beneath Earth's horizon 130 nautical miles away, the cargo bay of the space shuttle Discovery and its related payloads were captured on 70mm film by one of the six cabin-bound astronauts. In the foreground is the Lidar In-space Technology Experiment (LITE). The robot arm portion of the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), busy throughout much of the almost 11-day mission, is in a stowed position on Discovery's port side.

ISS028-E-005081 (23 May 2011) --- The Soyuz TMA-20 spacecraft departs from the International Space Station on May 23, 2011. Onboard are three members of Expedition 27 -- Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev, Expedition 27 and Soyuz commander; NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli, both flight engineers. Kondratyev was at the controls of the spacecraft as it undocked at 5:35 p.m. (EDT) from the station's Rassvet module. The crew landed safely at 10:27 p.m. southeast of the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan.

This image of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Atlantis, with cargo bay doors open showing Spacelab Module for the Spacelab Life Science and the docking port, was photographed from the Russian Mir Space Station during STS-71 mission. The STS-71 mission performed the first docking with the Russian Mir Space Station to exchange crews. The Mir 19 crew, cosmonauts Anatoly Solovyev and Nikolai Budarin, replaced the Mir 18 crew, cosmonauts Valdamir Dezhurov and Gernady Strekalov, and astronaut Norman Thagard. Astronaut Thagard was launched aboard a Soyuz spacecraft in March 1995 for a three-month stay on the Mir Space Station as part of the Mir 18 crew. The Orbiter Atlantis was modified to carry a docking system compatible with the Mir Space Station. The Orbiter also carried a Spacelab module for the Spacelab Life Science mission in the payload bay in which various life science experiments and data collection took place throughout the 10-day mission.

Astronaut and spaceship. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.

In this photograph, the instruments of the Astro-1 Observatory are erected in the cargo bay of the Columbia orbiter. Astro-1 was launched aboard the the Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia (STS-35) mission on December 2, 1990. The Astro Observatory was designed to explore the universe by observing and measuring the ultraviolet radiation from celestial objects. Astronomical targets of observation selected for Astro missions included planets, stars, star clusters, galaxies, clusters of galaxies, quasars, remnants of exploded stars (supernovae), clouds of gas and dust (nebulae), and the interstellar medium. Astro-1 used a Spacelab pallet system with an instrument pointing system and a cruciform structure for bearing the three ultraviolet instruments mounted in a parallel configuration. The three instruments were The Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (HUT), the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment (WUPPE), and the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UIT). Also in the payload bay was the Br

ISS004-E-13298 (7 June 2002) --- The Space Shuttle Endeavour approaches the International Space Station (ISS) in this digital still camera's view, recorded on June 7, 2002. The Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), known as Leonardo, is visible in Endeavour's payload bay. Two Russian cosmonauts and an American astronaut, currently onboard the shuttle, will replace two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut now on the station.

ISS028-E-015807 (10 July 2011) --- The space shuttle Atlantis is seen over the Bahamas prior to a perfect docking with the International Space Station at 10:07 a.m. (CDT). Part of a Russian Progress spacecraft which is docked to the station is in the foreground.

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