Shuttle Discovery Arrives at Space Station

After a two-day orbital chase, space shuttle Discovery linked up with the International Space Station late Sunday to deliver a new crewmember and a cargo pod full of vital supplies.

Discovery commander Rick Sturckow docked the 100-ton shuttle with the space stationas both spacecraft flew more than 200 miles (341 km) above the Atlantic Ocean.

"It's great to hear your voices," station astronaut Michael Barratt radioed Discovery's crew as the two spacecraft drew close. "We can't wait to see you."

Sturckow flew Discovery without the aid of six small thrusters, which are usually extensively used during docking, because one had a leak. Instead, he used Discovery's larger, more powerful thrusters, which use more propellant and can make for a louder ride and more challenging docking.

"He just flew it like a champ today," shuttle flight director Tony Ceccacci told reporters after docking.

A rendezvous first

Sturckow has trained to use the larger thrusters during docking, but NASA never had to try it until today, Cain said. The smaller thrusters will not be used for the duration of Discovery's 13-day mission, he added. Sturckow also had to compensate for a slight misalignment of the space station, which was 1 degree out of position during tonight's docking, NASA officials said.

Before docking at the space station, Sturckow flew Discovery through an orbital back flip so station astronauts could photograph the shuttle's tile-covered belly in a routine heat shield check. Analysts on Earth will review the images once they are sent to Mission Control.

Discovery docked at the station about 10 minutes early at 8:54 p.m. EDT (0054 Aug. 31 GMT). Hatches between Discovery and the space station opened just over 90 minutes later with the seven shuttle astronauts boosting the station's six-person crew up to 13 people - a record-tying high - for only the second time. link..