nose cone

American  

noun

Rocketry.

1. the cone-shaped forward section of a rocket or guided missile, including a heat shield and containing the payload.

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nose cone British  

noun

1. the conical forward section of a missile, spacecraft, etc, designed to withstand high temperatures, esp during re-entry into the earth's atmosphere

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Etymology

Origin of nose cone

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Nearby Tundergarth Church, which overlooks the field where the nose cone was found, is also a site of remembrance.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2025

Both groups use instruments hitched to the nose cone to ensure that only the freshest, most undisturbed air is sampled.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2023

Photos from the wharf show what appear to be several pieces of the submersible being lifted from the ship, including the nose cone with its distinctive circular window.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 28, 2023

Paul Hankins, a salvage expert for the Navy, said five major pieces of debris from the Titan were found, including the nose cone, which was outside of the pressure hull.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2023

The wooden nose cone was also painted a bright red.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam