International space station spins 180 degrees for Russian spacecraft docking, watch video here

ISS Spins 180 Degrees (Image: @astro_Pettit/X)

Space has a way of surprising us—even with a simple turn. NASA astronaut Don Pettit recently captured such a moment, sharing a rare manoeuvre by the International Space Station (ISS) that gave viewers a spectacular look at Earth from above.

Station Flips Backwards for Docking
The ISS rotated 180 degrees and flew backwards in space. The unusual turn helped with docking the Russian Soyuz MS-27 spacecraft. Pettit shared a video of the event online. “We rotated 180 degrees and flew backwards,” he posted. He told viewers to wait for a surprise in the middle.

Changes in attitude, changes in latitude: @Space_Station We rotated 180 degrees and flew backwards for yesterdays Soyuz docking. This is a bit long but keep watching for the surprise in the middle. pic.twitter.com/UDEp8zKDwE
Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) April 9, 2025

The docking welcomed three new crew members to the ISS. They included Nasa’s Jonny Kim and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Alexey Zubritsky. The trio launched earlier that day from Kazakhstan. They reached the ISS in just three hours.

They will now spend eight months on the station. Their work will focus on scientific research and experiments.

Auroras Shine Midway Through Space Spin
Pettit’s video didn’t just show the docking process. It also captured stunning green auroras swirling around Earth. These northern lights were caused by solar activity. The glow came from solar particles hitting Earth’s magnetic field.

Pettit called this glow the “surprise” in the video. The colourful display added beauty to the already impressive clip.

Space Precision and International Teamwork
The ISS’s move was needed for a safe Soyuz docking. The spacecraft docked automatically with the station’s Prichal module. The flip and precise positioning highlight careful planning in space missions.

With Kim, Ryzhikov, and Zubritsky now aboard, the ISS gets a fresh boost of international teamwork. Their arrival keeps the spirit of space collaboration alive. The ISS continues to serve as a shared lab in the sky, bringing nations together for science.