Since the KU-band communications are down, they’ll have to use alternative methods to get command, voice & video data to and from the shuttle. They probably could use flag signals or something.
On docking day they’ll probably have to get one of the guys on the ISS to suit up and go outside to guide the shuttle in (you know like they have somebody callin’ the shots to back a semi into the loading dock). I imagine he’ll have a couple of those flashlights the ground grew uses to guide airliners around to and from the boarding gates.
They were just showing the mission commander getting suited up. Poindexter was doing the hand signals like the launcher does on aircraft carriers. That was cool.
Then he did the Spok “live-long-and-prosper”.