Docking in orbit is very tricky - going faster makes an orbiting craft rise away from the body it's orbiting, but higher orbits (at least at their peak) are slower. Docking is an exercise in getting two orbits to intersect - with a very slow closing speed.
Check it out and see what you think:
Orbital Mechanics recreates the 1975 Apollo - Soyuz docking.
A nice gentle docking earns you a nice comment from the Commander of the Soyuz craft. What will he have to say about your attempt ???
Hint: It helps (me) to think of the maneuver as a "power slide", with the spacecraft drifting out to meet Soyuz - timing is everything and it takes some practice; Go easy on the thrust...
Last edited by EdnaC (2011-06-21 12:40:35)
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Sounds cool. I'll check it out.
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