The docking process, initially scheduled for 7 January, was rescheduled a number of times.

Animals such as birds and humans have different docking stations on their cells — known as sialic acid receptors.

The Opens Arms ship was carrying 147 migrants who had been picked up off the Libyan coast when it was prevented from docking in Lampedusa.

Operators are free to strike deals with individual councils and arrange how many bikes can be used in their areas, where they can be parked and if they need docking stations.

Since the mission is not docking with the space station and has limited supplies, weather conditions need to be good for both the launch and splashdown off the Florida coast.