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ISS Docking Simulation

iss-sim.spacex.com Tools, games & demos Interactive tools & demos Space & transportation Candidate
Screenshot of iss-sim.spacex.com captured 2026-07-20
Page preview · captured 2026-07-20

Resurfaced independently across 6 calendar years, with breakout response in 2 of them.

submissions
10
submitters
9
observed span
2020–2026
peak thread · 144 comments
329 pts
latest 20+ return · 2022-01-05
224 pts

Submission timeline

2007–2026

One slot for every year since HN launched. Height is that year's peak points; orange marks a 100+ point or 50+ comment breakout. Select a bar to open its strongest thread.

First comments on top threads

HN comment order

Nailed it first time!! I was super excited too, cos it was so obvious that this so-called “simulation” was in reality a test to find pilots to save the ISS from some top secret calamity that we don’t know about. Surely this was going to be like in “the last Starfighter”, except that Elon Musk would be the one knocking on my door, needing a new pilot. Sadly it just said “congratulations” :(

I wana see the speed run on this. I've got it down to 3mins if I rush orientation followed by position. I'm convinced this can be pushed further if you have the coordination to combine it. [edit] 2:30 combined with some exciting drama at the end [edit] 1:40 combining pitch & yaw & forward-thrust, followed by roll while accel/decel (because doesn't affect approach), finally eyeballing Y and Z and monitoring X reading for reverse thrust (because eyes suck at distance…

tomxor·224-point thread·

If anyone else is struggling, there appears to be a typo in the instructions. You need your rate to be below something like -.12 m/s, even though it says -.2 m/s. I failed twice because of that. If your rate is blue, you're good. Fun little simulator though. The "flat earth" setting is a nice touch too.

Better Than Space Flight Simulator

The first top-level comment from each of the four biggest threads, in HN’s own order. Excerpts are shortened; open a comment for full context.

Breakout years
2

100+ points or 50+ comments

Total points
603

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Total comments
239

reference only — not used in Hall rules or ranking

Every submission

DateTitle as submittedByPointsComments
2020-05-12ISS Docking Simulatorcaiobegotti292
2020-05-13ISS Docking SimulationFirst breakout · Best threadmartythemaniak329144
2021-10-03SpaceX – ISS Docking Simulatorvinnyglennon30
2022-01-05ISS Docking SimulatorLatest 20+ point returnabhiminator22491
2024-10-25SpaceX – ISS Docking Simulatoremreb40
2025-01-08ISS Docking Simulator – SpaceXgoodklopp32
2025-03-24SpaceX – ISS Docking Simulatorzurfer20
2025-12-04SpaceX – ISS Docking Simulatoremreb30
2026-01-30ISS SIMbelter40
2026-05-02SpaceX ISS Docking SIMCubicalOrange20