India recently became the fourth country to successfully demonstrate space docking. Which of the following countries had achieved this feat before India?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
USA, Russia, China
Explanation
Space docking is a technology in which two separate spacecraft are joined together in space. India has recently successfully demonstrated this technology under its 'SPADEX' (Space Docking Experiment) mission. With this historic success, India has become the fourth country in the world to master this complex technology.
Before India, only the United States (USA), Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), and China had successfully demonstrated the capability to perform docking in space. This technology is extremely crucial for the construction of the future Bhartiya Antariksha Station (BAS) and manned lunar missions.
Key Points
India has become the fourth country in the world to demonstrate space docking technology.
Before India, only the USA, Russia, and China had achieved this feat.
This mission has been named 'SPADEX' by ISRO.
This technology is essential for building space stations and transferring astronauts from one spacecraft to another.
Additional Facts
This experiment by ISRO is a vital part of the future Gaganyaan mission and the goal to establish India's own space station by the year 2035.
The first successful docking in space history was achieved in the year 1966 during the USA's 'Gemini 8' mission, commanded by Neil Armstrong.
China successfully tested this technology for the first time in the year 2011 through its 'Shenzhou 8' spacecraft.
Important Questions
Question: What name has been given to India's Space Docking Experiment by ISRO?
Answer: SPADEX.
Question: In which year and by which country was the first successful space docking achieved in history?
Answer: In the year 1966, by the United States of America (USA).