astronautics
Spacecraft design field
Astronautics is the science and technology of spaceflight—designing, building, and operating spacecraft.
The field encompasses everything from rocket propulsion to orbital mechanics to life support systems.
Someone working in astronautics might calculate trajectories for a Mars mission or engineer heat shields for atmospheric reentry.
She studied astronautics at MIT before joining NASA.
Enclosed dose container
- moduleIndependent functional component
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
- shuttleShort-distance transport
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
orbiter · spaceprobe · rover · habitat · airlock · payload · docking · berthing
Curved celestial path
splashdown · rendezvous · docking · mission · trajectory · microgravity · zero-g · spacewalk
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- thrustForceful forward motion
- rocketryScience of propelled spacecraft
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
engine · booster · oxidizer · cryogenics · burn · ignition · throttle · delta-v
Path of moving object
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- inertialRelating to resistance to change
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
- trackingMonitoring location over time
ephemeris · maneuver · rendezvous · targeting · ranging · doppler · telemetry
Natural planetary satellite
- MarsRed planet, war deity
- lunarOf the moon
- planetaryOf or relating to worlds
- interplanetaryBetween celestial bodies
deep-space · probe · lander · rover · colonization · habitat · extraterrestrial · asteroid
Physics of air motion
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- avionicsAircraft electronic equipment
- structuralRelating to building framework
- systemsOrganized sets of elements
simulation · testing · materials · integration · manufacturing · life-support · reliability · redundancy
capsule
Enclosed dose container
- moduleIndependent functional component
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
- shuttleShort-distance transport
satellite · orbiter · spaceprobe · rover · habitat · airlock · payload · docking · berthing · telemetry
orbit
Curved celestial path
reentry · splashdown · rendezvous · docking · mission · trajectory · microgravity · zero-g · spacewalk · EVA
rocket
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- thrustForceful forward motion
- rocketryScience of propelled spacecraft
- nozzleFlow-directing pipe fitting
combustion · engine · booster · oxidizer · cryogenics · burn · ignition · throttle · delta-v · propellant
trajectory
Path of moving object
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- inertialRelating to resistance to change
- gyroscopeSpinning disc measuring orientation
tracking · ephemeris · maneuver · rendezvous · targeting · ranging · doppler · telemetry
moon
Natural planetary satellite
interplanetary · deep-space · probe · lander · rover · colonization · habitat · extraterrestrial · asteroid · comet
aerodynamics
Physics of air motion
- thermodynamicsScience of heat-energy relationships
- avionicsAircraft electronic equipment
- structuralRelating to building framework
systems · simulation · testing · materials · integration · manufacturing · life-support · reliability · redundancy · certification
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, spacecraft
- astronomystars, moon, sun, planet, planets
- Space Trainingcrew training, Space Camp, flight training, navigation training, flight simulation
astronauticsaviation
Flying or operating aircraft
aeronautics · marine navigation · seafaring · ground transportation · sailing