Space Shuttle Discovery

The Space Shuttle Discovery is backdropped against the Earth as it approaches the International Space Station prior to the orbiting pair docking in this image captured from NASA TV August. The Space Shuttle Discovery performs the rendezvous pitch maneuver as it approaches the International Space Station for docking,with the Earth in the background, prior to docking in this image captured from NASA TV. During the RPM maneuver Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Mike Barratt will take photos from aboard the station that will be reviewed for evidence of damage to the shuttle tiles. The International Space Station is visible from the Space Shuttle Discovery's docking port in this image captured from NASA TV. After docking thirteen people will be assembled on one spacecraft for the second time in history as the two crews begin eight days of joint space operations. The Space Shuttle Discovery performs the rendezvous pitch maneuver (RPM) as it approaches the International Space Station for docking in this image captured from NASA TV. During the RPM maneuver Expedition 20 Commander Gennady Padalka and Flight Engineer Mike Barratt will take photos from aboard the station that will be reviewed for evidence of damage to the shuttle tiles. The Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station in this image captured from NASA TV August 30, 2009. The thirteen crewmembers will be assembled on one spacecraft for the second time in history as the two crews begin eight days of joint space operations.