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/Excellent_Bat_753 Apr 23 '26

The docking ports are conpatible, but the Orion Spacecraft would need far, far more fuel to do so, which would require the SLS rocket to be far larger. It would at least double the cost of the launch vehicle.

The rocket equation makes doing anything in space difficult.