Through which mission did India become the fourth country to demonstrate docking of two spacecraft in orbit?
- A.Gaganyaan
- B.SpaDeX
- C.Chandrayaan-3
- D.Aditya-L1
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is SpaDeX. Its two satellites docked for the first time on 16 January 2025, then repeated the manoeuvre with full autonomy from an inter-satellite distance of 15 m on 20 April 2025, and the following day power was transferred between the docked spacecraft. With this India joined the United States, Russia and China as the fourth country to show the capability. Gaganyaan is wrong, because that programme is about carrying humans to space, although docking technology will support such missions in future. Chandrayaan-3 is wrong, since it was a lunar mission and not an orbital rendezvous demonstration. Aditya-L1 is wrong as well, because it is a solar observation mission; docking matters for building a space station and for sample return, both of which need more than one launch.
Read the full article: India's New-Age Space Technologies: NGLV, SpaDeX, NavIC
Practice Questions
What is the approved outlay for the Next Generation Launch Vehicle cleared by the Union Cabinet?
- A.Rs 4,120 crore
- B.Rs 8,240 crore
- C.Rs 12,400 crore
- D.Rs 19,744 crore
Show answer
The Union Cabinet approved the development of the vehicle in September 2024, and the amount covers development costs, three developmental flights, the essential facilities, programme management and the launch campaign.
Read the full explanation →India's space economy is targeted to reach what size, and by which year?
- A.US$20 billion by 2030
- B.US$44 billion by 2033
- C.US$60 billion by 2035
- D.US$100 billion by 2040
Show answer
This is the target set by the Department of Space, and emerging technologies such as reusable launch vehicles, air-breathing propulsion, electric propulsion and in-space docking are expected to support that growth.
Read the full explanation →According to Dr Jitendra Singh, which recently enacted law opens nuclear medicine research to private-sector participation?
- A.The Atomic Energy Act
- B.The SHANTI Act
- C.The BioE3 Act
- D.The National Research Foundation Act
Show answer
Speaking about advances in nuclear medicine, the Minister referred to provisions in this recently enacted law that allow private players into nuclear medicine research, and said such steps can create openings for further research and for industry involvement in the sector.
Read the full explanation →Which capability did Dr Jitendra Singh ask India to build at home to reduce dependence on overseas suppliers?
- A.Gene synthesis
- B.Satellite launch services
- C.Semiconductor fabrication
- D.Vaccine cold-chain storage
Show answer
The Minister said that relying on suppliers abroad for specialised research inputs creates difficulties for Indian scientists in terms of time, access and the continuity of their work, and that building this capability within the country would let researchers work more efficiently while strengthening the biotechnology ecosystem as a whole.
Read the full explanation →At which event did Dr Jitendra Singh speak on India's potential in gene research?
- A.India International Science Festival
- B.Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) 2026
- C.Indian Science Congress
- D.Global Bio-India Summit
Show answer
The Minister was addressing a session on System and Synthetic Biology at that conclave, which brings scientists, policy makers, industry leaders, startups and young researchers together to tie research and technological innovation more closely to national development.
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