midcourse

American  

[mid-kawrs] / ˈmɪdˌkɔrs /

noun

1. the middle of a course, course of events, or course of action.

   Congress has already had cause to complain of the court's changing its interpretative rules in midcourse.

2. Rocketry. the portion of a ballistic trajectory between the end of powered flight and the beginning of the reentry phase.

3. Aerospace. the portion of a space trajectory between leaving the earth's vicinity and arrival at the desired destination, as another planet.

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adjective

1. happening or done at some point during the journey of a ship, airplane, missile, or spacecraft.

   When the midcourse maneuver was attempted, one engine failed to ignite and caused the space vehicle to tumble.

2. happening or done in the middle of a course, course of events, or course of action.

   The company is conducting a rigorous midcourse assessment of the process itself.

Etymology

Origin of midcourse

First recorded in 1555–65; mid- + course

Example Sentences

Based on these changed facts, a midcourse correction is required — a different and tougher approach.

From Washington Times

“It’s not unusual for a campaign to have a midcourse adjustment and that’s what you’ll be seeing here with Rob’s departure and with readjustments that we’ll make in the campaign staff.”

From Seattle Times

Such systems, which consist of ground-based interceptor missiles and a huge array of radars and fire control systems, aim to bring down ballistic missiles, including ICBMs carrying nuclear or other warheads, while they are flying in space midcourse on the way to their targets.

From Washington Times

The ministry said in a brief statement late on Sunday that the "ground-based midcourse anti-missile intercept technology" test had been carried out that night.

From Reuters

“When fielded, China’s ICBM-class HGV will be able to evade current ground- and space-based early warning capabilities due to its low-altitude approach and ability to maneuver midcourse, which compounds the detection and warning challenges I already face from Russia’s Avangard HGV and advanced cruise missiles,” Gen. VanHerck said.

From Washington Times