blast-off
Countdown's final moment
Blast-off is the moment a rocket launches, when engines ignite and the vehicle lifts from the pad.
The term evokes the dramatic countdown and explosive thrust of space missions: We watched the blast-off from Cape Canaveral.
As a verb (blast off), it means to launch or, informally, to depart energetically: We blast off at six tomorrow morning.
Moment of ascent
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- thrustForceful forward motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
- engineMachine producing motion
fuel · burn · pad · trajectory · ascent · climb · soar · skyward
Starting combustion process
- sequenceOrdered succession of elements
- timerDuration-tracking mechanism
- secondsTime units, or extras
- minutesSixty-second intervals
final · checklist · preparation · readiness · control · synchronize · announcement · protocol
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
- aweReverent fear and wonder
amazement · anticipation · spectacle · roar · rumble · thunder · flame · smoke
liftoff
Moment of ascent
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- thrustForceful forward motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
engine · fuel · burn · pad · trajectory · ascent · climb · soar · skyward · altitude
ignition
Starting combustion process
minutes · final · checklist · preparation · readiness · control · synchronize · announcement · protocol · engineers
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- exhilarationIntense joyful excitement
- euphoriaIntense emotional high
awe · amazement · anticipation · spectacle · roar · rumble · thunder · flame · smoke · crowd
blast-offlanding
Descent's final moment
touchdown · splashdown · reentry · descent · arrival
blast-offshutdown
Cessation of operations
termination · conclusion · wind-down · ending · finish
blast-offstandstill
Total cessation of movement
grounded · stationary · shutdown · at rest · powered down