106dck



STS-106 The Docking Anomaly DVDs Now Available At Project P.R.O.V.E.!

On 8 September 2000 at 7:46 AM CDT (12:46 GMT), Space Shuttle Atlantis was launched into orbit. She lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, at Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral Florida, initiating the flight of STS-106. Atlantis spent the next two days catching up with the still unmanned space station. Rendezvous took place on 10 September, with final docking at 12:51 AM CDT (5:51 GMT) The Mission (Assembly Flight 2A.2a) was the next in an ongoing series of flights to build and supply the International Space Station (ISS), and the Crew flawlessly performed all tasks on the agenda. STS-106 was the next to last Shuttle flight to an unmanned International Space Station (ISS). A single EVA (Extra Vehicular Activity or spacewalk) carried out by Cosmonaut Yuri Malenchenko and Astronaut Edward Lu. The two spacewalkers made the final cable connectons between the Zarya module (Russian word for 'SUNRISE') and the brand new service module named Zvezda (Russian word for 'STAR'), which was lauched from Baikonur Cosmodrome atop a Proton booster in July 2000. Another essential task which was completed by the STS-106 crew was the activation of the toilet facilities aboard Zvezda. 10,965 lbs. (4974 kg) of supplies and equipment were delivered by Atlantis to ISSy. Most of this contained in the SPACEHAB Logistics Double Module. In addition, the STS-106 crew unloaded an automated Russian cargo ship, called Progress, which docked to the station in July 2000. The First Expedition Crew launched weeks later, in a Soyuz spacecraft atop a Starsem rocket booster, from Baykonur Cosmodrome, on 30 October 2000. Undocking occurred at 10:46 PM 17 September (3:36 18 September GMT), with the Shuttle flying alone for the next 29 hours. Atlantis landed safely on Runway 15, Kennedy Space Center, at 3:56 AM EDT (7:56 GMT) 19 September 2000, for a total flight duration of 11 days 19 hours 12 minutes.
	STS-106 Liftoff

	Malenchenko On EVA

	Lu On EVA

	Inside ISSy

	STS-106 Landing

THE EVENT

Atlantis was just a few mintutes away from final docking with the new space station when this event took place. During the docking operation, a brief view of the Shuttle's approach were provided by a black and white video camera mounted on the Russian built Zarya module, also known as the FGB (Functional Cargo Block). During one video sequence from Zarya, Atlantis could be seen just a few feet away from final docking. As the video continued, an anomalous cigar shaped object could also be seen in the field of view. This object appeared to be in the near vicinity to the Shuttle. However, in space distance is difficult to guage with the eye. After being in view for only about 12 seconds, the video feed was abruptly cut off. What the object actually was, is hard to say.

This observer had never seen a "cigar-like" object on NASA Select TV before, although such shapes HAVE turned up from time to time since. The object in question was certainly NOT ice or debris. Ice and debris do not stay in the same place for any length of time as this object did.

One debunker from Canada announced, on his local radio show in September 2000, that I had "manipulated" the still frame. He accused me of FAKING this picture! Nothing could be further from the truth!

This video, like ALL used on this site, is captured directly from the original "live" NASA broadcast, recorded to VHS at the time it happened.

Another naysayer, from the UK, claimed that the object was the distant limb of Earth in the field of view. No chance of this. Were the anomaly just the edge of the Earth, IN DAYLIGHT, we'd see much more than just one small STRAIGHT line suspended in space. We'd see the arc of the curvature of Earth, as well as seas, continents, and clouds from one side of the frame ALL THE WAY to the other side, except where it passed behind the Shuttle or parts of the station. We will explore more about why this object is not the limb of Earth below in the visual presentation.

It never ceases to amaze me just how convoluted is the logic of some debunkers in attempting to discredit these images. Another common tactic of debunkers is to attack those who find them and make them public.

"If you can't suppress the evidence, shoot the messenger!"

One interesting note is that the "cigar" was very carefully edited out of all subsequent Flight Day Highlights broadcasts. Furthurmore, it was never mentioned by the narrator even as it was in direct sight of the camera, and on television screens around the world.

(Our Friend Kathy D. of South Australia captured photos during her holiday in the "Outback" deserts in July 2003. The cigar shaped objects seen in her snap shots are remarkably similar to the object seen near Atlantis on that day in September 2000. You may see Kathy's pictures for comparison with the STS-106 object HERE.)

Let's now take a look at the visual presentation we have prepared for you, OK?

SETTING THE SCENE

	This frame is from just seconds before the black and white camera on Zarya was broadcast on NASA Select TV.

	This animation depicts the "before and after" views. These frames bracket the television from Zarya. What you are seeing in these pictures is the docking apparatus on the end of the ISS Unity Node. This is where Shuttles docked to ISSy before the addition of the Destiny Lab Module.
AND NOW ...THE "CIGAR"!
	Here we have a single still frame of the "Cigar" shaped object seen during docking 10 September 2000. We have circled it in yellow so you will know where to look for it in the animated GIFs to come.

	This is the "full view", as it appeared on TV screens. The picture is very bad at first, but clears up to reveal the anomaly hanging out in space. As the sequence ends, the object seems to be fading away. It is difficult to be sure though, since at this point the picture began to "fall apart" again. Remember, this is Russian space to ground TV, being relayed to Houston.
ENHANCEMENT
	In this final animation of the anomaly, we are zoomed in 175%. Now we can see that the object was also "drifting" slowly toward the bottom of our screen. Once again, as the picture turns to snow, the object becomes vague and hard to see.
The image was NOT manipulated, as was cynically stated by a radio show host in Canada back in September 2000. I find so many genuine anomalies in NASA's live feed, that I have absolutely NO NEED to manufacture them.

	The GIF to the left is of the animated tracker less than two minutes after Atlantis docked to ISSy. In this three frame GIF Atlantis is circled in yellow, and is high over southern Russia or Kazakhstan. Note her orientation, with her belly facing south and port wing toward the ground. The red arrows identify the direction of the Zarya camera view.

The Zarya camera was pointing down into the cargo bay, so it too was facing south. Earth would be off to the left, or port side. In this situation, the curvature of Earth would have paralleled Atlantis' fuselage. In point of fact, Earth was not even in the picture at all!

Next is a transcript of the exact words of the NASA Commentator in Houston Mission Control. The man spoke these words as the "cigar" object was in direct view of the camera on the outside of Zarya, and viewers of NASA Select TV.

All Orange italics mine for emphasis. Hesitations and grammatical errors are left in as originally spoken. JC.

Commentator: "A very clear view from the, uh black and white camera on the Zarya Control Module showing Atlantis...now just, uh, 24 feet away... (5 second pause)...Commander Terry Wilcutt, uh, maneuvering Atlantis ever so close to the station at a rate of about one-tenth of a foot per second."

( 24 feet = 7.3 m) (1/10 ft/sec = 3.5 cm/sec)

End Transcript

In closing, we have in this event an anomalous object which remains unknown and unexplained. What do YOU think it was?

***

At all times during this event, the camera was under the control of the INCO in Houston Mission Control.

(INCO - INstrument & Communication Officer - The man in Houston Mission Control Center who is responsible for operating the Shuttle payload bay, and robotic arm, cameras. He also remotely operates the helmet cameras in space suits. In the case of ISS, this officer is referred to as the CATO - Communications And Tracking Officer. In both cases, these persons CONTROL everything which is PERMITTED to go out on broadcast to the public. It is a commonly believed falacy that the cameras are operated by Astronauts & Cosmonauts on the Shuttles, and Space Station. Very little camera work is done by the crews. They're way too busy for that.)

At the end of the day, it's up to YOU to draw your own conclusions.