spacecraft
Vessel beyond atmosphere
A spacecraft is a vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.
The term covers everything from crewed capsules and space shuttles to unmanned satellites and probes: The spacecraft entered lunar orbit.
Unlike aircraft, spacecraft must operate in vacuum and carry their own oxygen for any combustion.
Plural: spacecraft or spacecrafts.
Short-distance transport
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
- moduleIndependent functional component
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
- probeThorough examination or tool
satellite · orbiter · cargo · freighter · spaceplane · reusable · expendable · interplanetary
Highest orbital point
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
- circularForming a closed curve
synchronous · inclination · eccentricity · gravity-assist · reentry · tracking · altitude · rendezvous
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- thrusterEngine providing forward force
- engineMachine producing motion
- boosterSomething that increases strength
- propellantSubstance creating thrust
fuel · combustion · thrust · ignition · chemical · nozzle · exhaust · delta-v
Spacecraft crew member
- cosmonautRussian orbital traveler
- missionPurpose-driven task
- roverDrifter or space explorer
- lunarOf the moon
martian · discovery · voyage · moon · mars · asteroid · comet · planetary
Aircraft electronic equipment
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- navigationDetermining position and course
- life-supportEquipment maintaining vital functions
antenna · transponder · computer · sensor · camera · gyroscope · hatch · airlock
Backward enumeration to zero
- liftoffMoment of ascent
- padCushioned writing surface
- towerTall slender edifice
- gantryOverhead spanning framework
trajectory · payload · fairing · staging · separation · ascent · range · abort
Fictional interstellar vessel
- hyperdriveFictional superluminal propulsion
- faster-than-lightExceeding light's velocity
- mothershipPrimary vessel carrying others
- battle-cruiserFast, large naval vessel
enterprise · fighter · fleet · armada · flagship · bridge · viewscreen · shields
shuttle
Short-distance transport
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
- moduleIndependent functional component
- landerSpacecraft for surface arrival
probe · satellite · orbiter · cargo · freighter · spaceplane · reusable · expendable · interplanetary · dragon
apogee
Highest orbital point
- perigeeOrbit's closest point
- geostationaryFixed above one point
- ellipticalOval-shaped or indirect
circular · synchronous · inclination · eccentricity · gravity-assist · reentry · tracking · altitude · rendezvous · docking
rocket
Propulsion-driven spacecraft
- thrusterEngine providing forward force
- engineMachine producing motion
- boosterSomething that increases strength
propellant · fuel · combustion · thrust · ignition · chemical · nozzle · exhaust · delta-v · burn
astronaut
Spacecraft crew member
lunar · martian · discovery · voyage · moon · mars · asteroid · comet · planetary · unmanned
avionics
Aircraft electronic equipment
- telemetryDistant automated data collection
- guidanceAdvice for decisions
- navigationDetermining position and course
life-support · antenna · transponder · computer · sensor · camera · gyroscope · hatch · airlock · radiator
countdown
Backward enumeration to zero
gantry · trajectory · payload · fairing · staging · separation · ascent · range · abort · hold
starship
Fictional interstellar vessel
- hyperdriveFictional superluminal propulsion
- faster-than-lightExceeding light's velocity
- mothershipPrimary vessel carrying others
battle-cruiser · enterprise · fighter · fleet · armada · flagship · bridge · viewscreen · shields · phasers
- Space HistoryApollo 11, moon landing, Sputnik, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin
- space stuffUFO, alien, meteor, comet, asteroid
- space termsmoon, star, planet, rocket, satellite
- spacecraftstarships, Voyager 1, rocket ships, Voyager 2, starship
- spaceflightlaunch, astronaut, liftoff, orbit, countdown
- Extraterrestrialsalien, aliens, extraterrestrial, ET, UFO
spacecraftsubmarine
Underwater naval craft
watercraft · ship · boat · bathyscaphe · deep-sea vessel
- alien spacecraftOtherworldly vehicle