launch vehicle

American  

noun

1. Aerospace. a rocket used to launch a spacecraft or satellite into orbit or a space probe into space.

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launch vehicle British  

noun

1. a rocket, without its payload, used to launch a spacecraft

2. another name for booster

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Etymology

Origin of launch vehicle

First recorded in 1955–1960

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

launch vehicle

Proving the rocket to be a reliable launch vehicle is crucial for SpaceX to achieve its goals.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026

The RLV C5 remains a paper concept, and transforming it into an operational launch vehicle would require years of additional development.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 11, 2026

As of late May, the company was already more than 1,300 satellites short of that target, with delays blamed in part on "launch vehicle availability" from Blue Origin and other providers.

From BBC ● May 29, 2026

Investors will also want an update on Neutron, Rocket Lab’s larger launch vehicle that could have its first flight in mid-2026.

From Barron's ● Feb. 26, 2026

At the Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, Thomas Byrdsong got a head start on the long road to the Moon by testing a model of the Saturn rocket, a launch vehicle the size of a redwood tree.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly