uncrewed
No humans aboard
Uncrewed describes vehicles, vessels, or missions operated without people aboard: an uncrewed spacecraft, uncrewed aerial vehicles.
The term emerged as a gender-neutral alternative to unmanned, particularly in aerospace and military contexts.
It emphasizes the absence of crew rather than the absence of men specifically.
Having no human operator
- unmannedHaving no human aboard
- remote-controlledOperated via transmitted signals
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
- unpilotedOperating without human aboard
Unmanned flying machine
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
- probeThorough examination or tool
rover · lander · orbiter · submersible · vessel · aircraft · vehicle · capsule
Purpose-driven task
- launchSet into motion
- orbitCurved celestial path
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- flybyClose pass without landing
rendezvous · docking · reentry · splashdown · landing · deployment · payload · telemetry
Systematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- deliveryConveyance of goods
pilotless
Having no human operator
- unmannedHaving no human aboard
- remote-controlledOperated via transmitted signals
- autonomousSelf-directed and free
drone
Unmanned flying machine
- UAVCrewless aircraft
- spacecraftVehicle for outer space
- satelliteOrbiting celestial body
probe · rover · lander · orbiter · submersible · vessel · aircraft · vehicle · capsule · module
mission
Purpose-driven task
- launchSet into motion
- orbitCurved celestial path
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
flyby · rendezvous · docking · reentry · splashdown · landing · deployment · payload · telemetry · trajectory
surveillance
Systematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
- mappingDiagram of correspondences
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
delivery · search-and-rescue · monitoring · surveying · firefighting