--- title: Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station | TIME description: canonical: https://time.com/video/GP5xYRA4/ og:title: Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station og:description: og:url: https://time.com/video/GP5xYRA4/ og:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GP5xYRA4/poster.jpg?width=720 og:type: video.other twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station twitter:description: twitter:image: https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/GP5xYRA4/poster.jpg?width=720 --- # Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material. > Last updated: August 2026. ## TIME Subscription: Reference Facts and FAQ ### Definition TIME is a general-interest news organization founded in 1923, reporting on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world. 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They are at time.com/newsletters and are separate from a paid subscription. ## Video: Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station [Watch (HLS stream): Watch as Astronauts Dock With the Space Station](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/GP5xYRA4.m3u8) (30:18)  _Published 2015-07-23_ --- Jul 27, 2023 6:34 PM UTC --- ## More From This Series [All Videos](https://time.com/video/) [Stunning Timelapse: Astronauts Docking with Space Station](/video/HrYNio0H/) ### Stunning Timelapse: Astronauts Docking with Space Station [Exclusive: Space Station Astronauts Talk to TIME](/video/hYuEYVW5/) ### Exclusive: Space Station Astronauts Talk to TIME [Astronauts Play Soccer on the International Space Station](/video/ZZRuWe2w/) ### Astronauts Play Soccer on the International Space Station --- ## Transcript Now the Soyuz view again, 1. 6 kilometers from the station. You see that in the lower left quadrant of that overlay of the Soyuz camera 5. 3 meter per second closing rate. [ FOREIGN ] Again the Soyse is positioning itself for the next in the series of rendezvous maneuvers. A small impulse burn about one minute from now. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] For Reference the station's current mass in orbit is 891, 945 pounds. The salus will add about 15, 000 pounds to that mass upon docking, bringing the station's mass up to a little more than 906, 700 pounds The arrangement is 4. 6. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Impulse Maneuver number five has just been completed. Setting the stage for the final impulse burn labeled impulse six that's just under two minutes from now. The targeting points look to be right on track for the fly around to begin just under five minutes from now. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] These thrusters have fired. And the range is 990 meters, and the range rate is 3. 59. Copy. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Another firing of [ UNKNOWN ] 21, zero, zero. [ FOREIGN ] The range is 770 meters, and the range rate is 2. 9 copy. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] So the thrusters are not firing. The range is 720 meters. And the range rate is 2. 11, copy. [ SOUND ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] And the last of the impulse [ INAUDIBLE ] Maneuvers has been completed. That now sets the stage for the fly around to begin about two and a half minutes from now. As station cameras now capturing the views of the Soyuz, just a little more than Two kilometers away, both station and the sous are tracking toward the southern tip of New Zealand here shortly. The automated rendezvous and docking system determining the targeting points for the fire round mode to begin. As well as the station keeping start which is currently targeted for about 32 minutes after the hour. [ CROSSTALK ] is 1. 5, copy. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] The first views of the [ UNKNOWN ] obviously show that only one of its twin solar rays is deployed, but again that has had no issue what so ever on the. Health of the space craft and generating power for all bit systems. And as it chased the station throughout the late afternoon and evening headed toward this rendezvous and docking targeting a docking at 9: 46 pm central, 10: 46 eastern time. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] We are expected by. [ FOREIGN ] [ BLANK_AUDIO ] For the [ UNKNOWN ]. Prox zone and the range rate is one point three. The rate is zero point four, or 400 meters. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] The size of the International space station is just about that of a US football field from end to end. The station's truss structure and solar array wings extend about 357 feet in length They habitable volume of the station is more than 240 feet long and provides more than 32, 300 cubic feet of volume. So the range is 370 meters and the range rate is 0. 9. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] The visiting vehicle officer here in Mission Control Houston reporting to flight director Deena Cantella that everything is right on track for the tracking of the Soyuz to its target point, the docking Port on the Russian segment of the station, known as the Rassvet module, the mini research module. There are two of those on this station, MRM- 1, the Rassvet module, the port that's empty awaiting this Soyuz's arrival. There's also another MRM, MRM- 2 known as Poisk. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] And then. At Poisk docking port is currently occupied by another Soyuz spacecraft, that vehicle that delivered the current three crew members aboard the station to orbit and to the station back on Friday, March 27th. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Though we can see the angle is 43 42. Yes we are all seeing this too. The range rate is 0. 6 [ BLANK_AUDIO ] And the range is 290 meters, copy? The two spacecraft will be at daylight for another 10 minutes or so before moving into an orbital sunset over the South Pacific. The current distance of the Soyuz from the station is 268 meters, closing at about half a meter per second at this point, but In the near- view as the one of the huge pair of solar rays, the tip of the solar rays that provide the power for all of the station modules and systems. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] So the range is 250 and the range rate is 0. 4. Copy. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Could you please monitor car 15? [ FOREIGN ] Yes, we're looking at it. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] The fly around is conducted to allow the Soyuz to line up properly with its target which is that Rassvet module on the station's Russian segment. The, once the alignment is checked, there will be a station keeping period to make sure that all of the systems are still go for the final approach, and the final approach should be initiated in the next five minutes or so. Docking, by the clock's, targeted for a little more than sixteen and a half minutes from now. Still targeting 46 minutes after the hour. [ BLANK AUDIO ] [ RUSSIAN ] I'm sorry, could you please report [ FOREIGN ] range is [ FOREIGN ] 230 meters, and range rate is zero point 12. We are performing the roll maneuver and range rate is 0. 26 and range is 200 meters. 210 meters, correction. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ UNKNOWN ] 15. Confirm. And it's 0535. [ INAUDIBLE ] Range is 200, range rate is 0. 2, and we're continuing the roll maneuver. We copy. So the roll maneuver, now that the Soyuz is in the proper location. The roll manuever actually places the vehicle's docking system on target for that [ UNKNOWN ] docking port as well. The two spacecraft 250 miles up above the South Pacific. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ UNKNOWN ] Range is 200. Range raise is 0. 16 LV. Still continue with the manuever. We are fly, we are performing the fly around manuever. Copy. [ FOREIGN ] We do not see the station on the video monitor. It's somewhere on the borders of the The [ UNKNOWN ] monitor and the periscope monitor. The range is 0. 9 kilometers. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Range rate is 0. 5- 0. 48, and range is 180. Copy. iii The bill confirmed. iii Range is 180, range rate is 006 [ FOREIGN ] [ UNKNOWN ] What angle? [ FOREIGN ] Size, is it as expected? [ FOREIGN ] How many squares is the station away from the crosshairs? Come again? [ INAUDIBLE ] When you look at the SM, how many squares is it away from the center, or the cross- hairs? [ INAUDIBLE ] And what is the diameter of SM? How much, how many squares does the SM take? [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Right now we see these [ UNKNOWN ] and I think it's around- [ FOREIGN ] One Square and the range is 170. Range rate is 003. We are activating the agency mode. [ FOREIGN ] Copy. And we copy that you're activating the floodlight as well. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Correction, floodlights. [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] Floodlight has been turned on. Range is 170, range rate is 003. We confirm. We show the final approach and we confirm the course. I understand that you have to have nerves of steel to docking like that. [ INAUDIBLE ] We did not hear you quite clearly, you are very hard to understand. I can hear that you are saying something but I cannot discern the words. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] [ CROSSTALK ] We show final approach and we are looking at the docking mechanism of MRM1. The range is 170. Copy. And as you heard the final approach has begun. Just about ten minutes to docking. Of course that's It's all up to the vehicles close approach now from currently 153 meters from the station. [ FOREIGN ] Range is 150, range rate is 0. 77, it's at positive grade. We are increasing our speed. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Dipoles, our dipoles thrusters are active. [ FOREIGN ] [ INAUDIBLE ] Please monitor the [ INAUDIBLE ] periscope as well. Of course we are. I'm looking at the crosshairs. [ FOREIGN ] So, range pro Kurs date is 125 range rate is 0. 77. We copy. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ NOISE ] [ FOREIGN ] Yeah, just about 100 meters from the station. 100, 108, 0. 5 And the docking mechanism is at the center of the Zvezda crosshairs. [ UNKNOWN ] We copy [ UNKNOWN ]. [ UNKNOWN ] Range. [ FOREIGN ] 90, range rate is 0. 5. [ FOREIGN ] Please don't forget that you are going to be entering the sunset, it is about one minute. When? In about one minute. [ FOREIGN ] There will be eclipse, we copy, eclipse is in one minute. Range is 0. 8 and range rate is 0. 42. [ UNKNOWN ], do we have activated the floodlights? Did you activate the floodlights? Yes, I did. [ INAUDIBLE ] Range. 0. 75. Ranger rate is 0. 33. [ INAUDIBLE ] We copy. [ INAUDIBLE ] We see the docking mechanism which is one degree. Up from the V'esca crosshairs. We are entering the eclipse. [ INAUDIBLE ] We are in the eclipse, range is 0. 65, range weight is 0. 27 with c the docking mechanism, or c the targets and the crosshairs. And the range is 0. 6, range rate is 0. 27. I see the, we are in the eclipse, and I see the docking mechanism. Just under 60 meters now, traveling in toward the station at a very slow 0. 2 meters per second. Obviously lining up there with the crosshairs on the docking port of the International Space Station's Rassvet module in the Russian segment. Yes we are in the eclipse. Range 050. Range rate is 0. 21. And we see the target. It's eliminated. All I have to do is So a mate filter. [ FOREIGN ] No. Range is zero 45, range rate is zero one seven and the target is a little bit to the left one degree off They sent all the crosshairs. Copy it? [ FOREIGN ] Range approximately- [ FOREIGN ] Is 0. 45, range rate is 0. 18, and we see [ UNKNOWN ] 17. We confirm that all the commands are ready. [ FOREIGN ] And we see at the center of the overlay, and the range is approximately about 40 meters. [ FOREIGN ] All around 38. Range rate is 0. 15 and [ FOREIGN ] For the final approach, do you see the L To seen, format, indicator, redo. Moscow copies. [ FOREIGN ] We approaching 32 meter range, and we The target is at the center of the crosshairs on the [ INAUDIBLE ]. [ INAUDIBLE ] And it's a little bit, one degree lower from the [ INAUDIBLE ] crosshairs, and a little bit to the left. [ INAUDIBLE ] Range rate is 0. . 16. We are approaching the station. [ FOREIGN ] And the range rate is approximately 0. 32. Range is 0. 32. Very smooth approach, docking should occur in the next four minutes. There are no gaps, range rate is 0. 12. We are approaching the 25 meter mark. I see everything very clearly. On the display. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] The crosshairs is The cross is about two degrees lower. The crosshairs are aligned. We are transitioning to the IR base. Bases. We copy. [ SOUND ] [ FOREIGN ] Range is 20 meters. [ SOUND ] Mission. Range, wait. The target is at the center almost at the center. Boris, noisy enough. Range rate is zero point one two. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] Closing in. Range is approximately 17 meters. Copy, range rate is 0. 12. Less than 20 meters now from the station. Slight roll to align properly with the docking target. [ FOREIGN ] The range rate is 0. 13. [ NOISE ] Range is about 13 meters. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] [ FOREIGN ] Everything's looking fine. Range rate is 0. 1. The crosshairs of the target are aligned, and the range is centimeters. Range rate is 0. 1. the crosshairs are a 1 degree lower than the center of the [ UNKNOWN ]. [ SOUND ] The range is 7 meters approximately. Range read is 0. 11. We see the target clearly and the target and the crosshairs are aligned almost perfectly at the center. Range is approximately 3 meters. Now inside, about 3 meters, or about 10 feet. Standing by for contact and capture. Waiting for contact. The range is less than one minute we are standing by for contact. Mission please proceed over. The cross hairs in the target are aligned. range rate is zero zero nine. Range is 0. 1 [ FOREIGN ] We are in the indicator mode. With copy 0. 5, 45 and 12 seconds. And we have contact and capture, docking of the Soyuse TMA 17 M with the international space station. Docking at 9: 45PM Central Time, 10: 45 this evening Eastern Daylight Time. [ FOREIGN ] All right. Five. [ FOREIGN ] All right, 0. 9. At the time of docking, the International Space Station tracking toward the equator and the coast of Ecuador 250 miles above the Pacific Ocean. [ FOREIGN ] So what's going on with our left probe? Is it extended? It is. The [ UNKNOWN ] parameters have been noted. At contact and capture the stations Propellent left. Thruster system was inhibited so that there wouldn't be any perturbations or movements as the Soyuz probe would then be retracted and locked into place with the hooks and latches between the Soyuz and [ UNKNOWN ] module. [ INAUDIBLE ] [ CROSSTALK ] The [ UNKNOWN ] manual air supply. All right. Air R six command, R six command since. [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] Five hour 43 minute trip from launch to docking at the International Space Station. The Soyuz TMA 17M with three crew members ready to augment the expedition. 44 crew. Returning the station's crew to a six- person crew for- All right. If this repair format is- With these three newest crew members set to stay aboard the station for five months. Please write down the parameters. [ INAUDIBLE ] Alright, we are ready to copy the parameters. There a big hole. Sensitivity. 854. Did you copy what Kimea said? It's our pressure, 800 [ FOREIGN ] [ FOREIGN ] Eight, five, four. 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