|Quoting Flexo (Thread starter):|
I've been wondering why it takes roughly three days for the Space Shuttle to reach the international space station while there is only about 400 km distance to cover (if the timing is right).
What is it that delays the arrival for so long?
|Quoting ZANL188 (Reply 1):|
What's the hurry? I'm sure they could do first orbit rendezvous (demonstrated during Gemini and used routinely during Apollo) if there was a need.
|Quoting Thorny (Reply 3):|
That only works when you launch one orbit after your target... as Gemini did with Agena.
|Quoting BHMBAGLOCK (Reply 2):|
Thorny answers this question pretty well when covering why night launches and landings are sometimes needed here:
Endeavour Launches And Lands At Night – Why? (by Avi Mar 7 2008 in Military Aviation & Space Flight)
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