iss021e029097
December 15, 2011
This view of the nose and the forward underside of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was provided by an Expedition 21 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, Atlantis 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).
Topics:
Rendezvous pitch maneuver, Space rendezvous, Manned spacecraft, Expedition, STS-117, Space Shuttle Atlantis, Space Shuttle, International Space Station
