spacecraft

[ speys-kraft, -krahft ]

noun

, plural spacecraft.

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

spacecraft

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spacecraft¹

First recorded in 1955–60; space + craft

Example Sentences

SpaceX’s ability to launch spacecraft in huge quantities shouldn’t be underappreciated.

From Quartz

Fewer than half of all the spacecraft that have been sent to Mars have actually made it.

From MIT Technology Review

Morgan believes that’s because there are large plains in the region that would make it easier to land a spacecraft on the surface.

From MIT Technology Review

While the company will not be performing the launch itself, it will be providing the spacecraft and “Blue Ghost” lander for the 2023 mission.

From TechCrunch

SpaceX weathered through the onset of the covid-19 pandemic last year to become the first private company to launch astronauts into space using a commercial spacecraft.

From MIT Technology Review

And now, with Carlson Spacecraft going up in flames, they seemed to be getting closer to their goal.

From Project Gutenberg

The man he had seen in that new building at Carlson Spacecraft was no ordinary human being.

From Project Gutenberg

There were two of them at the door, both wearing the uniform of Carlson Spacecraft.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• rocket
• shuttle
• space capsule
• space probe