Astronautics
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Astronautics
Astronautics (pronounced: as·tro·nau·tics /ˌastrəˈnɔːtɪks/) is the science and technology of space flight. It is a branch of Aerospace Engineering that involves the design and application of spacecraft for the conduct of space exploration and research.
Etymology
The term "astronautics" was coined in the 1920s by Jules Verne, a French author known for his works in science fiction. It is derived from the Greek words "astron" meaning "star" and "nautes" meaning "sailor". Thus, astronautics can be translated as "star sailing".
Related Terms
- Spacecraft: A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.
- Space Exploration: The investigation of physical conditions in space and on stars, planets, and their moons through the use of artificial satellites (spacecraft that orbit the earth), space probes (spacecraft that pass through the solar system and that may or may not return to earth), and spacecraft with humans on board.
- Aerospace Engineering: The primary field of engineering concerned with the development of aircraft and spacecraft.
- Astrodynamics: The application of Newton's laws (especially Newton's second law of motion) to the motion of celestial bodies such as stars, planets, and moons.
- Rocket Propulsion: The method of acceleration that rockets and spacecraft use to move forward.
See Also
This WikiMD.org article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.