How Can Soyuz Reach The Space Station In Only 3 Hours?

This week Soyuz MS17 set a space station record by going from launch to docking with the International Space Station in only 3 hours and 3 minutes, half the time that Soyuz used to take, and much faster than the day long approaches used by US spacecraft.
For Soyuz is has much shorter on orbit endurance compared to US spacecraft and is much less spacious than the US equivalents, incentivizing fast rendezvous trajectories.

Some of the papers I referenced in this video if you want to read more:

[photonicpizza]

"That would drop rocket stages on China, and apparently, that is China's job." That had me howling.

[sciencoking]

Literally faster than public transit could take me to work

[gehteuchnixan]

TL;DR: They installed the latest version of Mechjeb

[MuitoDaora]

MechJeb can do it within the first orbit.

[chemiker]

The Soyuz spaceship has been mankind's only gateway to space five times already, and even now that it has competition from newcomers it still shows what i'ts capable of. Thumbs up!

[Sunlight]

That's quick enough to order a pizza from the ISS.

[dorbie]

That Progress MIR collision was human error. It was a manual docking system test, not an automated one. The incident is worthy of a video. The Cosmonaut remote piloting it didn't have a good visual from progress to MIR they were using the remote feed for guide it) so he just kept thrusting towards the station and built up excessive delta velocity, they'd also disabled the radar because it might have caused problems with the visual monitor on a previous attempt. They attributed it to inadequate training, because he'd never successfully completed a dock during training and had failed during a previous attempt, which speaks to bigger issues. But I can't understate how questionable that cosmonaut's actions were and just how half-assed their entire plan was.

[rasaecnai]

was about to sleep but alright lets get educated on matters of spacecraft docking.

[cowcabobizle]

I was wondering about this when I heard about the speed run. Happy to have a great explanation from Scott pop up in my notifications.

[paulhaynes]

Love the new, rather menacing 'fly safe'! Also, love the fact that there are no visible YouTube awards behind Scott. If you're good, there's no need to have to prove how good you are...

[invictus]

That last punch line 'LEGROOM' made me smile.

[samsonguyk]

It's rather awesome on how dependable the Soyuz has become, as well as upgradable. I guess that is an achievement the Russians can hold.
This isn't even the first time that Soyuz has beat speed records in going from launch to rendezvous with the ISS, and such has challenged me to emulate it in KSP. I've achieved orbital rendezvous with a target within one orbit. It helps the target did have a simple circular orbit over the equator, unlike the ISS, but still made me feel good.

[Miata]

The #1 feature I look for when I'm shopping spacecraft is abundant legroom. After that I look for a good air conditioner and plenty of cupholders.

[JeffreyBue_imtxsmoke]

I’ve wondered for a long time about these short trips to the ISS and I’m so glad you made this video

[InventorZahran]

"Onboard systems that can now calculate the orbit in real-time..."

*Boots up KSP with MechJeb*

[zimm]

[12:38] - In Russian language, the idiom "stretch out legs" means "to die". So it's not a bad that you can't stretch out your legs in a Soyuz spacecraft. Agree?

[phorzer]

I watch your videos, when I'm drunken, because then I feel dumb. It's such a beautiful feeling to know, that someon intelligent is alive. I love you, Scott!

[edugames]

Was checking your channel every hour waiting for a new video lol. Space rocks and your channel is definitely at the top. Have plans to work at the industry, wish me luck

[Kineth]

3:47 I would say that Scott burned China bad, but apparently that's China's job.

[alxo]

My wife just shouted from another room: "HOW MANY VIDEOS THAT GUY HAS DONE! I'm sick of his voice". I dunno if your channel it is good for our relationship, Scott