What are the best practices for communicating with ground control during docking?

2 Verify the data

During docking, you will receive various data from the ground control, such as the relative position, velocity, and attitude of your spacecraft and the target vehicle or station. You should always verify the data by cross-checking it with your own instruments, sensors, and cameras. If you notice any discrepancies or anomalies, you should report them to the ground control and ask for confirmation or correction. Verifying the data will help you avoid errors, collisions, or misalignments.

3 Use voice and data loops

Depending on the type and phase of your docking mission, you may have different options for communicating with the ground control, such as voice loops, data loops, or both. Voice loops are audio channels that allow you to talk and listen to the ground control team. Data loops are digital channels that transmit telemetry, commands, and other information between your spacecraft and the ground control. You should use both voice and data loops whenever possible, as they complement each other and provide redundancy and backup in case of failures or interruptions.

4 Be concise and clear

When you communicate with the ground control, you should be concise and clear in your messages. You should use the standard terminology and acronyms, avoid unnecessary or ambiguous words, and repeat or acknowledge important information. You should also speak with a calm and confident tone, and avoid shouting, interrupting, or overlapping with other speakers. Being concise and clear will help you convey your intentions, status, and requests effectively and avoid confusion or misunderstanding.

5 Listen and respond

Communication is a two-way process, so you should not only transmit but also receive information from the ground control. You should listen carefully and attentively to the instructions, feedback, and queries from the ground control team. You should also respond promptly and appropriately to their messages, either by confirming, acknowledging, or answering them. Listening and responding will help you establish rapport, trust, and cooperation with the ground control team.

6 Report any issues

During docking, you may encounter various issues or challenges, such as technical malfunctions, environmental disturbances, or human errors. You should report any issues to the ground control as soon as possible, and provide relevant details, such as the nature, location, severity, and impact of the issue. You should also inform the ground control of your actions, plans, or requests to resolve the issue. Reporting any issues will help you get assistance, guidance, or support from the ground control team.