astronautics

American  

[as-truh-naw-tiks, -not-iks] / ˌæs trəˈnɔ tɪks, -ˈnɒt ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the science of or technology involved in travel beyond the earth's atmosphere, including interplanetary and interstellar flight.

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astronautics British  

/ ˌæstrəˈnɔːtɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the science and technology of space flight

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Other Word Forms

• astronautic
  adjective
• astronautically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of astronautics

First recorded in 1925–30; see origin at astronautical, -ics

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

astronautics

"There's a lot riding on this," the astronautics expert, who is now at Stanford University, told AFP.

From Barron's ● May 21, 2026

The university said it built on its "65-year heritage of education and research in space science, aeronautics and astronautics".

From BBC ● Mar. 10, 2026

Israel Kachuck, a onetime astronautics engineer and general contractor, bought more than 450 acres of mostly barren land in the 1960s and began planting avocado trees.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 30, 2025

“Twenty years ago, you would not have characterized the space business as fast moving,” said Daniel Hastings, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT.

From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2024

Indeed, there are some who already foresee a complete substitution of space for defense, and who prognosticate that in the 1990's "the economy of nations is now based on the astronautics industry, instead of war."

From The Practical Values of Space Exploration Report of the Committee on Science and Astronautics, U.S. House of Representatives, Eighty-Sixth Congress, Second Session by United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science and Astronautics.