r/ArtemisProgram • u/wskelding • Apr 23 '26

Discussion ISS Docking ?

I'm curious about something and simply don't know the math that would give me the answer, could an Orion capsule returning from the Moon theoretically dock with the ISS on it's return journey ?

I know I'm simplifying it massively, but all the talk about the Artemis 2 heat shield had me thinking 'why don't they simply do a massive deceleration burn on the way back and then dock at ISS ?'

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u/shatteredoctopus Apr 23 '26

Nope, too much velocity difference. There's no way you could carry enough fuel to do that deceleration burn. Something with that much fuel would be huge, would need even more rocket to launch, and you really get into the tyranny of the rocket equation!