spacecraft

American  

[speys-kraft, -krahft] / ˈspeɪsˌkræft, -ˌkrɑft /

noun

1. a vehicle designed for travel or operation in space beyond the earth's atmosphere or in orbit around the earth.

---

spacecraft British  

/ ˈspeɪsˌkrɑːft /

noun

1. a manned or unmanned vehicle designed to orbit the earth or travel to celestial objects for the purpose of research, exploration, etc

---

Etymology

Origin of spacecraft

First recorded in 1955–60; space + craft

Explanation

A spacecraft is a vehicle designed to travel beyond Earth's atmosphere. In 1969, the Apollo 11 lunar module was the first crewed spacecraft to land on the Moon. Rockets, space shuttles, satellites, and the International Space Station are all examples of spacecraft. Any machine, device, or vehicle that's designed to travel in outer space falls into this category, whether or not it carries humans. Spacecraft is a more scientific term than spaceship — but both words were originally used in 19th- and 20th-century science fiction.

Example Sentences

The puzzle dates back decades, but it gained renewed attention after observations from NASA's Cassini spacecraft in 2004 suggested that Saturn's rotation rate was gradually changing.

From Science Daily • May 29, 2026

The partnership will initially focus on scaling up supply chains for spacecraft subsystems and the companies will also evaluate a path toward industrialized satellite bus platforms.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026

Near closest approach, the spacecraft rapidly photographed the Martian surface as it crossed from the night side of the planet into daylight.

From Science Daily • May 26, 2026

However, Nasa's plans rely on a spacecraft being ready that can safely transport humans to the Moon.

From BBC • May 26, 2026

I started to think about spacecraft big enough for whole families to be launched—to the moon, Mars, perhaps the stars themselves.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

Related Words

• rocket
• shuttle
• space capsule
• space probe