See the docking of the Dragon capsule in action in this video.

VIDEO: 9 min. 35 sec.

The SpaceX Dragon capsule is grappled and berthed to the Earth-facing port of the International Space Station’s Harmony module at 12:02 p.m. EDT, May 25, 2012.

Like Japan’s HTV, and unlike the Progress and ATV spacecraft, Dragon cannot dock to the space station itself. Instead, it will rendezvous with the station, and the crew will capture and berth the spacecraft using the station’s remote manipulator system, Canadarm2.

. . . the Dragon will make its final approach to 10 metres (33 feet) from the . . . space station, and shortly afterwards the Dragon, will then be placed into free-drift mode. The station crew will then use the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS), Canadarm2, to capture the Dragon.

. . . The C2+ mission is more demanding [than the December, 2010 maiden voyage to achieve orbit]; SpaceX need to prove that the spacecraft can be used to deliver cargo to the International Space Station safely. As a result, the spacecraft needs to demonstrate its ability to remain in orbit for several weeks, test its manoeuvring and navigation systems, and perform a rendezvous with the space station.

If the initial rendezvous is successful and the spacecraft is operating well, SpaceX will then be cleared to perform the next stage of the demonstration, which will see the spacecraft approach to within ten metres of the ISS before being grappled by the station’s Canadarm2 remote manipulator system, and berthed at the nadir port of the station’s Harmony module.

In anticipation of being cleared to perform the berthing test, the Dragon spacecraft has been loaded with 520 kilograms (1,146 pounds) of cargo for delivery to the ISS.

Source: This detailed article about the May 22, 2012 flight is well worth a visit.

To see how the reusable rocket landing is attempted, while the Dragon capsule continues on to the International Space Station, visit the next page.