liftoff
Spacecraft leaves ground
Liftoff is the moment a rocket or spacecraft leaves the ground, transitioning from stationary to airborne: We have liftoff.
The term extends to any launch or beginning of upward movement.
Figuratively, liftoff marks when something gets underway after preparation: The startup finally achieved liftoff after years of development.
Rocket launch moment
- ignitionStarting combustion process
- takeoffDeparture or parody
- thrustForceful forward motion
- propulsionForce driving movement forward
booster · engine · pad · spaceport · mission · spacecraft · shuttle · orbiter
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- aweReverent fear and wonder
- wonderAmazement or curiosity
exhilaration · crowd · viewing · smoke · thunder · roar · rumble · vibration
Move to higher position
- climbAscend using effort
- soarAscend to heights
- altitudeMeasured height above reference
- skywardToward the firmament
upward · elevation · trajectory · accelerate · surge · staging
Ordered succession of elements
- checklistItemized verification guide
- fuelingSupplying energy source
- commitBind to a course
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
hold · scrub · abort · finalize · preparation
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- historicOf lasting significance
- landmarkNotable point of reference
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
groundbreaking · accomplishment · success · Apollo · Sputnik · Gagarin · progress · exploration
blastoff
Rocket launch moment
propulsion · booster · engine · pad · spaceport · mission · spacecraft · shuttle · orbiter · payload
excitement
State of eager enthusiasm
- adrenalineEmergency response hormone
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- aweReverent fear and wonder
wonder · exhilaration · crowd · viewing · smoke · thunder · roar · rumble · vibration · cheering
rise
Move to higher position
skyward · upward · elevation · trajectory · accelerate · surge · staging
sequence
Ordered succession of elements
achievement
Accomplished goal or deed
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- historicOf lasting significance
- landmarkNotable point of reference
pioneering · groundbreaking · accomplishment · success · Apollo · Sputnik · Gagarin · progress · exploration · culmination
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, spacecraft, orbit, countdown
- Rocket Launchescountdown, launch pad, ignition, launch window, launch vehicle
- launch activitiescountdown, ribbon cutting, grand opening, soft opening, unveiling
- aerospaceairplane, helicopter, rocket, rockets, spacecraft
- space explorationrockets, Saturn V, satellites, mission, Falcon Heavy
- space termsmoon, star, planet, rocket, satellite
liftofflanding
Descent's final moment
touchdown · descent · splashdown · reentry · arrival
liftoffcrash
Sudden violent impact
explosion · abort · scrub · disintegration · malfunction
liftoffgrounded
Stable and realistic
stationary · earthbound · standstill · holddown · immobile