Astronauts move between a docked spacecraft and the International Space Station (ISS) through a sealed passage. The crew does not open the hatch as soon as docking is complete: the connected space is checked for leaks and pressurized first. Once those checks are complete, the hatches can be opened and the crew can pass into the station.
How the transfer works
- Rendezvous and approach: The spacecraft maneuvers toward the ISS and approaches a compatible docking port. Approach procedures vary by vehicle. In NASA’s Commercial Crew press kit, Starliner is described pausing outside a 200-meter keep-out sphere until station flight controllers clear it to enter, then pausing 10 meters from the International Docking Adapter before continuing toward docking. NASA Commercial Crew press kit.
- Docking: The spacecraft connects mechanically to the station at the port. The ISS docking adapters follow the International Docking System Standard. NASA describes Dragon as autonomous, with its onboard crew and SpaceX mission control able to monitor and control it; the exact approach and oversight arrangements depend on the spacecraft. NASA’s Dragon overview.
- Check and pressurize the vestibule: After docking, crew members check the connection for leaks and pressurize the space between the spacecraft and station. NASA’s account of Crew-10’s 2025 arrival describes these steps after Dragon docked to Harmony. NASA’s Crew-10 arrival report.
- Open the hatch and pass through: The hatch is opened only after the checks. NASA’s 2019 report on Crew Dragon’s arrival says the hatch was opened following standard leak checks and pressurization. Crew members then move through the connected passage into the station. NASA’s 2019 hatch report.
- Join the station crew: Arriving astronauts meet the crew already aboard. If the mission is a direct handover, the outgoing crew remains on the station until its own departure vehicle leaves.
Why astronauts do not open the hatch immediately
The docked interface must be confirmed as sealed before the passage becomes a shared, open route between the spacecraft and station. Leak checks verify that the connected volume is holding pressure; pressurizing that volume prepares it before the hatch opens. NASA’s 2019 account specifically describes the hatch opening after these checks, and its 2025 Crew-10 report describes checks and pressurization after docking.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pressure and atmosphere compatibility can matter when vehicles are designed around different conditions. During the 1975 Apollo-Soyuz Test Project, the Apollo and Soyuz cabins had different pressure and atmospheric composition. NASA’s history explains that the U.S. side used a special docking module that functioned as an airlock for crew transfers. That was a solution for that mission, not a description of the standard ISS transfer procedure. NASA’s Apollo-Soyuz history.
Automation still involves crew and ground oversight
Some spacecraft can perform much of rendezvous and docking autonomously, but that does not mean the operation is unmonitored. NASA says Dragon is autonomous while also noting that crew and SpaceX mission control can monitor and control it. In NASA’s Starliner approach description, the vehicle pauses at defined points and waits for clearance from station flight controllers before entering the keep-out sphere. These are examples of vehicle-specific procedures, not one universal sequence for every spacecraft. NASA Commercial Crew press kit.
#1 Best Overall
- Complete astronaut costume with accessories: Blast off into exciting space adventures with this astronaut costume for kids featuring a realistic astronaut suit, adjustable astronaut hat, backpack, and personalized name tag. Designed for imaginative pretend play, this kids astronaut costume inspires little explorers to imagine moon missions, spacewalks, and galaxy adventures while enjoying fun screen-free play.
- Designed for kids ages 3-7: Made for boys and girls who love imaginative play, this astronaut costume is easy to wear and comfortable for active kids. Perfect as a toddler costume or toddler boy dress up outfit, adjustable features help provide a great fit for growing children during everyday adventures, school events, and pretend missions.
- Comfortable, durable and kid-friendly: Built for hours of imaginative fun, this astronaut suit kids outfit features durable stitching, realistic details, pockets, zippers, and adjustable elements for an authentic look. Lightweight and machine washable, this space suit kids outfit gives little explorers a comfortable kids space suit for exciting pretend missions.
- Builds imagination through space pretend play: Inspire curiosity and storytelling as kids imagine becoming astronauts, exploring planets, and launching missions into space. This kid astronaut costume encourages creativity, role play, and social interaction while inspiring exciting space adventures through imaginative pretend play.
- Perfect for Halloween, space parties and dress up: Whether for school events, birthday parties, pretend play, or halloween costumes for kids, this astronaut costume for boys makes a fun career day costume for boys and exciting dress-up choice. This space costume kids outfit is a fun gift for boys and girls who love space adventures.
Transfer, handover and port relocation are different
- Crew transfer is astronauts physically passing through the open, sealed passage between a docked vehicle and the ISS.
- Crew handover is the change from one station crew to another. In a direct handover, the new crew arrives before the outgoing crew returns, so both crews temporarily share the station. NASA’s April 2021 account says the Crew-2 arrival brought 11 long-duration crew members aboard for the first time. The same article describes an earlier indirect pattern in which a departing Soyuz crew left before its replacement arrived. NASA’s crew handover explainer.
- Spacecraft port relocation is a vehicle moving from one station port to another while its crew stays inside. In 2024, four ISS crew members relocated Dragon from Harmony’s forward-facing port to its space-facing port to make the forward port available for Starliner. NASA’s 2024 relocation report.
What a crew handover means for life aboard the ISS
A direct handover temporarily increases the number of people on the station. NASA’s April 2021 explainer reported that 13 people had been aboard during STS-127, STS-128 and STS-131, describing that as the largest total at the time; it is a dated historical comparison, not a current record claim. During a period with more people than available crew quarters, NASA says astronauts may use temporary sleeping locations, including quieter station modules or a docked spacecraft. The article gave astronaut Michael Hopkins sleeping in Crew Dragon Resilience as an example. It also described about two hours of exercise a day as usual for station crew. Those details concern daily life during crew overlap, not the hatch-transfer procedure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What varies between spacecraft
The basic order—approach, dock, check and pressurize, then open the hatch—explains the transfer, but it does not establish that all vehicles use identical controls or operating steps. NASA’s materials describe Dragon as autonomous and detail Starliner’s pause points and controller clearance; they should not be read as a full, like-for-like comparison of every operational procedure.
Rank #2
- WEARABLE HALLOWEEN COSTUME ACCESSORY – The perfect finishing touch for a kids’ astronaut costume! This realistic space helmet has a visor that opens and closes, making it great for trick-or-treating or dress-up play.
- EXCLUSIVE EASY-ASSEMBLY DESIGN – The helmet is quick to assemble, and the included NASA sticker sheet lets kids decorate and customize their helmet for a creative, personalized space adventure.
- COMFORTABLE FIT – A foam pad is included to make the helmet more comfortable to wear, so kids 6-12 can enjoy hours of imaginative adventures.
- LEARN ABOUT ASTRONAUTS – The full-color Learning Guide and activity booklet are packed with fascinating facts and fun activities about astronauts and their space suits, turning dress-up into an educational experience.
- EVERYDAY PLAY OR HALLOWEEN FUN – Perfect as a Halloween costume accessory, for classroom dress-up days, or for everyday imaginative play, this astronaut helmet inspires out-of-this-world adventures!
Vehicle specifications also need their date and context. NASA’s Dragon overview says Dragon carries up to four crew for NASA missions and is designed for water landings. NASA’s Starliner overview describes an intended NASA crew capacity of up to four, with certification-dependent language. These are source-specific specifications, not a guarantee about every mission configuration or current certification status. NASA’s Starliner overview.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Quick Recap
Best Value
- This Astronaut Costume Clothes for Teddy Bear Toys for 5 to 7 Inch Dolls - The stuffed animal clothes are designed to fit a small stuffed toy, making them suitable for display with other astronaut toys, stuffed animals with clothes, and teddy bear accessories. The astronaut teddy bear clothes also work well for dress-up play and creating a coordinated space-themed astronaut plush collection.
- Includes 1 DolliBu Astronaut Dress Up Bear Outfit for Plush Toys - You will receive one astronaut teddy bear suit featuring a jacket, pants, and a realistic astronaut helmet. The set is made to create outer space toys with astronaut costume accessories. Each piece is designed to coordinate with the others to create a complete space outfit. Works well as astronaut accessories for stuffed animals and bear clothes collections.
- Made From Polyester Material - Made from soft polyester material suitable for small stuffed animal clothing. The astronaut costumes' fabric is lightweight and easy to handle during dress-up play. Designed for repeated use as toy clothes and plush clothes. The astronaut costume jacket includes a hook-and-loop closure, while the pants feature an elastic waist for easy dressing. Recommended for gentle care to maintain the outfit’s appearance.
- Space-Themed Astronaut Costume Outfit for Teddy Bear Clothing - This astronaut suit is suitable for dressing up plush toys, or as part of astronaut decor. This astronaut doll costume helps turn a teddy bear into a space buddy for imaginative storytelling. Works well as an astronaut gift or addition to space decor displays. Ideal astronaut clothes for teddy bears to display with other themed plush doll clothes.
- Features an Astronaut Outfit Set for Small Space Themed Toys - Designed with a NASA astronaut-inspired outfit for your stuffed toys, including a jacket, pants, and helmet accessory. The design reflects a classic astronaut suit look for stuffed toys. Easy to put on and remove for dress-up bears and plush toys. Designed to stay in place during play. A fun addition to astronaut accessories, space items, and stuffed animal costume collections.
Rank #4
- PERFECT SNUGGLES: What is better than a super soft, plush, and cozy snuggle buddy? A toy that helps bring your little space explorer’s pretend play storylines to life. The plush astronaut toy looks like an actual mini astronaut to supercharge the imagination.
- DETAIL ORIENTED: We pride ourselves on creating toys with exquisite workmanship. Our 12’’ tall stuffed astronaut figurine is made using high-quality material and has a soft metallic-colored helmet, shiny belt, & cool NASA and USA flag arm patches.
- IMAGINATION BOOSTER: Let your kiddo learn as they play. The plush astronaut toy is a great learning resource for kids that can improve their creativity and imagination. The stuffed astronaut figurine invites imaginative play and is perfect for brain development.
- CREATE ENCHANTING DECOR: Transform your kiddo’s room into a cosmic wonderland. This attention-grabbing astronaut stuffed toy is perfect for creating space-themed bedroom decor and can be used as part of your space decorations during galaxy-themed parties.
- GREAT GIFT IDEA: Looking for a unique birthday gift for that deserving boy or girl? A Christmas or holiday present for that little one? Get them this imagination-sparking plush and watch them beam. Also great as a carnival game prize or gift shop item. For ages 3+
Rank #3
- AWESOME SET: AstronautPilot Costume Includes 1 Orange Full-Length Body Jumpsuit with EmbroideredLogo and USA Flag Patches and 1 Tinted Movable Visor Space Helmet. [NOTE:The logo has been upgraded, and the version is random.]
- HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS: Crafted from 100% polyester, this space costume set offers moderate elasticity and comfort, featuring a convenient zipper in the front for easy wear.
- VERSATILE FOR OCCASIONS: Perfect for Armstrong Accessory, School Stage Performance, Classroom Dress Up Toys,party, Astronaut Costume for Children, Space Theme Party Favor Supplies, Halloween Christmas and present, Outdoor Activity, Space Museums, Science Birthday Party, Play period Every day and More.
- EASY CARE: Our kids space suit set is easy to maintain—simply sponge clean to keep it looking good. Avoid whitening, tumble drying, and ironing to save the fabric and design.
- MULTIPLE SIZES: Available in sizes 3T (3-4 YRS), Small (5-7 YRS), Medium (8-10 YRS), Large (10-12 YRS), and X-Large (12-14 YRS), our space costume for kids set is designed to accommodate most child boy’s figures. Be sure to refer to the size chart for the suitable one.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
