Rendezvous

nounStandard termAviation

A series of orbital maneuvers that bring two spacecraft into close proximity.

An orbital operation where an active spacecraft matches the orbital plane, altitude, and phasing of a target vehicle. It requires precise timing and velocity changes to bring the two objects within meters of each other at zero relative velocity. It is the mandatory prerequisite for docking or berthing.

Heard on the job

We'll initiate the final rendezvous burn at orbital sunrise to ensure good lighting for the star trackers.