The procedure for docking the capsule with a Pole on board to the ISS has begun

The procedure for docking the Dragon capsule with the International Space Station (ISS) has begun. The capsule carries four members of the Ax-4 mission, including Pole Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski.

The Dragon capsule is already in the so-called proximity zone of the International Space Station (at the so-called Waypoint 0), 400 m from the ISS and is waiting for permission to move to the next point. It is to reach Waypoint 1, 200 m from the ISS, around 12.09 Polish time.

The astronauts of the Ax-4 mission have once again put on vacuum spacesuits. They are to provide safety if the Dragon cabin depressurizes. The astronauts in Dragon are already in contact with the space station and can see it from the capsule's windows.

The docking is being supervised by the International Space Station Mission Control team at NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, USA. On the ISS, the docking is being supervised by NASA Expedition 73 members Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain.

As NASA Communications Specialist Joseph Zakrzewski explained in an ongoing broadcast hosted by NASA, Axiom Space and SpaceX, there are many points on the Dragon's path to the ISS, to which the capsule moves thanks to maneuvers of the 16 Draco engines. This allows the ship's and the station's orbit to be synchronized. At each of the points, to which the capsule is to approach in turn, docking can be interrupted if there are problems with the engines or the capsule's control.

The capsule's "beak" or "nose" opened yesterday, just after separation from the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket, revealing four engines and the docking port.

According to the plan, docking is to begin at 12:30 Eastern European Time, the procedure is to be completed 13 minutes later. After pressure is equalized between the capsule and the station, the hatches will be opened at approximately 14:10 Polish time. A ceremony welcoming the Ax-4 crew on board the ISS is scheduled for 14:40. (PAP)

Science in Poland

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