Which spacecraft was designed for docking with the Space Shuttle?

The spacecraft designed for docking with the Space Shuttle is the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS was specifically engineered to accommodate the Space Shuttle for resupply missions, crew transfers, and other operations. The design featured compatible docking mechanisms that allowed for smooth and secure connections between the Shuttle and the ISS.

Additionally, the ISS serves as a multi-national collaborative project involving various space agencies, which enhances its significance in conjunction with the Space Shuttle. This interoperability was critical during the shuttle program, allowing the spacecraft to play a vital role in the assembly, maintenance, and operation of the ISS over the years.

While the Russian Soyuz is a significant spacecraft that has been used to transport astronauts to and from the ISS, it was not originally designed for docking specifically with the Space Shuttle; rather, it was developed independently with its docking system. The Manned Orbital Laboratory was a concept that never flew, and Mir, while it had docked with the Shuttle, was not designed for that purpose considering the Shuttle's operational requirements and was developed for the Soviet space program long before the Shuttle program began.