What does spacecraft mean?
Spacecraft means a vehicle designed to travel or operate in outer space. It can refer to a specific machine, such as a satellite, planetary probe, or crewed capsule, and can also be used collectively for vehicles involved in space exploration. The term is most common in scientific, technical, and news writing, where it is more precise than the informal spaceship. Its plural is normally spacecraft, so a sentence may refer to several spacecraft without adding an ending, although spacecrafts is occasionally used when individual craft need to be counted or distinguished. Related expressions include crewed spacecraft, uncrewed spacecraft, launch a spacecraft, and spacecraft mission. The word is especially memorable because it combines space and craft, precisely capturing the idea of a vehicle designed for space travel.
nounA vehicle, such as a satellite, probe, or crewed capsule, designed to travel in outer space. The term can also refer collectively to the vehicles used for space exploration or transport.
- A vehicle designed to travel in outer space, such as a satellite, space probe, or crewed spacecraft.
- Collectively, vehicles used for travel or operation in space, especially in technical and historical discussion.
"The spacecraft transmitted scientific data from orbit throughout the night."
"The uncrewed spacecraft entered orbit around Mars and began collecting data."
"The museum displays models of several historic spacecraft."
The plural is normally identical to the singular. The form spacecrafts is uncommon and is mainly used when individual vehicles need to be counted or listed.
"Several spacecraft are currently orbiting Earth."
The word spacecraft is famously both singular and plural, a rare grammatical feature that reflects its role as both an individual vehicle and a category of vehicle.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spacecraft come from?
Spacecraft is a compound formed in the 20th century from space and craft, both English words. The development of rockets and practical spaceflight led to the term becoming established for vehicles operating beyond the Earth's atmosphere. Its structure is parallel to other compound formations using craft, such as aircraft and watercraft.
Related word forms
How spacecraft is actually used
The word is standard in technical, scientific, and news contexts. In general writing, spacecraft usually refers to a specific vehicle or to the category of vehicles as a whole; spaceship is more informal and more common in fiction.
Easily confused with spacecraft
Spacecraft is the standard technical term for a vehicle operating in space, while spaceship is more informal and is especially common in fiction and popular culture.
A spacecraft is a vehicle that travels or operates in space, whereas a space station is a structure intended to remain in orbit and support people or equipment.