launch pad

American  

Or launchpad

noun

1. the platform on which a missile or launch vehicle undergoes final prelaunch checkout and countdown and from which it is launched from the surface of the earth.

2. something that serves to launch or initiate.

   He used his legal experience as a launch pad for his career in politics.

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launch pad British  

noun

1. a platform from which a spacecraft, rocket, etc, is launched

2. an effective starting point for a career, enterprise, or campaign

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Etymology

Origin of launch pad

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

Traveling at a top speed of just 0.82 mph, the crawler moved the massive Moon rocket steadily toward the launch pad.

From Science Daily

Nasa's mega rocket has been moved to the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, as the final preparations get underway for the first crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years.

From BBC

Last year, it also completed a record 21 launches of its Electron vehicle, which serves the small satellite market, and opened a new launch pad.

From MarketWatch

New Shepard, Blue Origin's reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle, took off from the company's Texas launch pad at 14:15 GMT.

From BBC

The Freedom 7 successfully lifted off from the launch pad.

From Literature

Related Words

• launching pad