Shuttle on Final Path to Station

Shuttle on Final Path to Station

Space shuttle Discovery began rendezvous operations at 3:29 p.m. EDT and has performed a series of minor maneuvers to close the gap with the International Space Station.

At 6:27 p.m., eight miles away from the station, Discovery used its left orbital maneuvering system engine for an 11-second Terminal Initiation burn, placing the shuttle on the final path for docking at 9:04 p.m. About an hour before docking, while 600 feet directly under the station, Commander Rick Sturckow will guide Discovery through a nine-minute back flip to enable station crew members Gennady Padalka and Mike Barratt to photograph the shuttle heat shield.

STS-128 Crew Portrait