uncrewed

[ uhn-krood ]

adjective

1. (especially of an aircraft, ship, or spacecraft) without the physical presence of a person or people in control.

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncrewed¹

First recorded in 1950–55; un- ¹( def ) + crewed ( def )

Example Sentences

After launching in June following repeated delays, the capsule returned remotely and uncrewed due to problems with its propulsion system.

From Los Angeles Times

The capsule had already been delayed for several years because of setbacks during its development, as well as issues discovered during uncrewed test flights in 2019 and 2022.

From BBC

Boeing’s Starliner had already been delayed for several years because of setbacks in the spacecraft's development and two previous uncrewed flights in 2019 and 2022 also suffered technical problems.

From BBC

The second-stage of the rocket burned up in the atmosphere as planned, while an engine that is part of the first-stage booster reignited to power a controlled landing on an uncrewed barge in the ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

“As we got more and more data over the summer, and understood the uncertainty of that data, it became very clear to us that the best course of action was to return Starliner uncrewed,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times