spacecraft

[speys-kraft, -krahft]

noun

plural

spacecraft 

1. a vehicle designed for travel or operation in space beyond the earth's atmosphere or in orbit around the earth.

spacecraft

/ ˈspeɪsˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. a manned or unmanned vehicle designed to orbit the earth or travel to celestial objects for the purpose of research, exploration, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of spacecraft¹

First recorded in 1955–60; space + craft

Example Sentences

While the winds themselves are invisible, the dust devils they lift can be seen clearly in spacecraft images.

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Earick is a former DJ who also worked in spacecraft research for Nasa before founding Redacted RnD, which focuses on technology, media, sport and entertainment.

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SpaceX’s goal has been to have the Starship spacecraft atop its massive rocket achieve a controlled landing in the Indian Ocean, while the reusable Super Heavy booster is similarly brought down.

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Reid Wiseman told a news conference that it was likely that his spacecraft would fly over large areas of the Moon that previous Apollo missions had never mapped.

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"Any first human spaceflight mission of a new space system, new rocket system and spacecraft is hugely exciting, because it's the dawn of new possibilities," he said.

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Related Words

• rocket 
• shuttle 
• space capsule 
• space probe