On this day in 1999, the space shuttle Discovery completed its first docking with the International Space Station. The shuttle is a perfect example to use when teaching about six degrees of freedom (6DoF), or the six independent motions of a rigid body in 3D space. Below is a model that you can use to explore this concept with your class.
Randomize Motion for Six Degrees of Freedomby Frederick Wu
Just imagine how difficult the docking procedure must have been!
-Kathy