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Reference.org
Docking and berthing of spacecraft
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<p>Docking and berthing of spacecraft is the joining of two <a href="/facts/Spacecraft/YQqQaUw0">space vehicles</a>. This connection can be temporary, or partially permanent such as for space station modules. </p><p><i>Docking</i> specifically refers to joining of two separate free-flying space vehicles. <i>Berthing</i> refers to mating operations where a passive module/vehicle is placed into the mating interface of another space vehicle by using a <a href="/facts/Robotic_arm/hGezrM9c">robotic arm</a>. Because the modern process of un-berthing requires more crew labor and is time-consuming, berthing operations are unsuited for rapid crew evacuations in the event of an emergency. </p>