spacecraft etymology

Etymology of "Spacecraft"

"Space-" is from Latin spatium, meaning "space" or "distance".

"-craft" is from Middle English craft, meaning "skill" or "occupation", and ultimately from Old English cræft.

Meaning and Origin of "Spacecraft"

The term "spacecraft" refers to a vehicle designed to travel in space, beyond the Earth's atmosphere. It includes:

• Artificial satellites, which orbit Earth or other celestial bodies
• Space probes, which travel to distant targets within our solar system
• Space shuttles, used for transporting astronauts and cargo to and from Earth orbit
• Space stations, which serve as platforms for scientific research and habitation in space

The term "spacecraft" was first used in the early 20th century, but gained widespread use after the launch of the Soviet Sputnik satellite in 1957. It has since become the accepted term for any human-made vehicle capable of traveling in space.

spacecraft relate terms

• craft

  Etymology Old English cræft from Proto Germanic kraptiz meaning strength powe

• space

  Origin The word space is derived from the Old French word espace which itself comes

• spaceship

  Etymology The word spaceship is a compound of the words space and ship Space F

• spacecraft

  Etymology of Spacecraft Space is from Latin spatium meaning space or distance

• spaceman

  Etymology of Spaceman The term spaceman is a compound word derived from Space n

• splash

  Etymology The word splash comes from the Middle English word plaischen which is of o

• mission

  Etymology Mission is derived from the Latin word mittere meaning to send or to dispa

• shuttle

  Etymology The word shuttle comes from the Old English word scytel which means shoot

• satellite

  Etymology The word satellite comes from the Latin word satelles which means atten

• capsule

  Etymology The word capsule comes from the Latin word capsula which means small box

• cabin

  Etymology The word cabin comes from the Middle English word cabine which itself is

• ballistic

  Etymology The word ballistic is derived from the Greek word ballein which means to

• vehicle

  Etymology Vehicle is derived from the Latin word vehiculum which means that which c