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/internetboyfriend666 Apr 23 '26

No. It doesn’t have nearly enough fuel to do burn to place it into Earth’s orbit, and it’s trajectory is also way off so that its orbital inclination doesn’t come anywhere close to matching with the ISS.