Spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft (pronounced: /ˈspeɪs.kræft/) is a vehicle, or machine designed to fly in outer space. A type of artificial satellite, spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communication, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, planetary exploration, and transportation of humans and cargo.
Etymology
The term "spacecraft" is a combination of the words "space" and "craft", which originated in the 20th century. "Space" is derived from the Latin word "spatium" meaning "room, area, distance, stretch of time," and "craft" comes from the Old English "cræft" meaning "power, physical strength, might," which in turn comes from Germanic origin.
Related Terms
- Satellite: An object in space that orbits or circles around a bigger object. There are two kinds of satellites: natural (like the moon orbiting the Earth) and man-made (like the International Space Station, or ISS).
- Orbit: The gravitationally curved trajectory of an object, such as the trajectory of a planet around a star or a natural satellite around a planet.
- Space Station: A large spacecraft in space where astronauts live and work. The International Space Station is a space station that is being built in space by several countries.
- Space Shuttle: A reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system that was operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program.
- Space Probe: A robotic spacecraft that leaves Earth orbit and explores space. It may approach the Moon; enter interplanetary space; flyby, orbit, or land on other planetary bodies; or enter interstellar space.
- Rocket: A vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejection of fast moving fluid from within a rocket engine.
- Astronaut: A person trained, equipped, and deployed by a human spaceflight program to serve as a commander or crew member aboard a spacecraft.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spacecraft
- Wikipedia's article - Spacecraft
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