nose cone

noun

, Rocketry.

1. the cone-shaped forward section of a rocket or guided missile, including a heat shield and containing the payload.

nose cone

noun

1. the conical forward section of a missile, spacecraft, etc, designed to withstand high temperatures, esp during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of nose cone¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

SpaceX's Starship vehicle measures 50 meters from its nose cone to landing legs.

From Ars Technica

As they mounted the crane again Rick looked up at the festooned cables that terminated in the nose cone.

From Project Gutenberg

He kept right on going until his head banged painfully on the bottom of the nose-cone radar unit.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of burying the missile deeper, the grenade explosion had uncovered the entire nose cone and part of the section behind it!

From Project Gutenberg

There was no doubt he had uncovered the nose cone of the missile which had re-entered the earth's atmosphere tailfirst!

From Project Gutenberg

In ten seconds the nose cone turned from cherry-red to white heat and began sloughing its outer ceramic coating.

From Project Gutenberg