space station

American  

noun

1. an orbiting manned structure that can be used for a variety of purposes, as to assemble or service satellites, refuel spacecraft, etc.

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space station British  

noun

1. Also called: space platform.   space laboratory.  any large manned artificial satellite designed to orbit the earth during a long period of time thus providing a base for scientific and medical research in space and a construction site, launch pad, and docking arrangements for spacecraft

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space station Cultural  

1. A structure being assembled in space by an international partnership led by NASA. The space station will be a permanent habitat at which scientific and technological work can be carried out. Building a space station is considered the next step in the development and exploration of space, although there is controversy concerning its cost and the value of the research that will be carried out there.

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Other Word Forms

• space-station adjective

Etymology

Origin of space station

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The travelers will replace Crew-11, which returned to Earth in January a month earlier than planned in the first medical evacuation in the space station's history.

From Barron's

The mission will be replacing Crew-11, which returned to Earth in January, a month earlier than planned, during the first medical evacuation in the space station's history.

From Barron's

Once the astronauts finally get on board, they will be one of the last crews to live on board the football field-sized space station.

From Barron's

While many ties between Russia and the West have been severed over Moscow's war in Ukraine, cooperation has continued on board the space station.

From Barron's

As launch approaches, the Crew-12 team remains focused and adaptable, continuing preparations to support scientific research, exploration, and international cooperation aboard the space station.

From Science Daily