spacecraft

American  

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

noun

plural

spacecraft

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

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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

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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

Spacecraft launches, and returns, were once international events.

From Science Daily • Oct. 16, 2023

Spacecraft are designed to withstand the launch stresses of their chosen rocket, so switching is not simple.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 21, 2023

Inspiration: Spacecraft, mega cranes, work ships, oil rigs and refineries served as contemporary reference points.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2023

He was told that he couldn't confirm a place at university to study Astrophysics and Spacecraft Engineering without his final results and confirmation from Pearson.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2022

The JPL Spacecraft Assembly Facility, known as the "clean room," was the little-known birthplace of the most famous spacecraft in Mars exploration history.

From "The Martian" by Andy Weir

Related Words

• rocket
• shuttle
• space capsule
• space probe