What does splashdown mean?
A splashdown is the landing of a spacecraft or another object in water. In modern usage, it most often describes the controlled ocean landing made by a spacecraft returning from orbit, although it can also refer more generally to any landing that produces a splash. The term carries associations of precision, engineering, and successful recovery after a demanding journey. It is especially familiar in accounts of the Apollo missions, whose capsules splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. Although the noun is used for the landing itself, it can also denote the splash or impact that occurs at the end of the descent. In related usage, “splash down” functions as a phrasal verb, as in “the capsule splashed down safely.”
A landing in water, especially the controlled landing of a spacecraft in the ocean.
"The capsule completed a flawless splashdown shortly after sunrise."
The word is chiefly used in spaceflight contexts but can describe other controlled descents into water.
To land in water, especially as a spacecraft returning from flight.
"The spacecraft was expected to splash down shortly after re-entry."
The verb is normally written as the two-word phrasal verb “splash down.”
Used when referring to more than one landing in water or to multiple occurrences of a controlled spacecraft landing.
"The mission included three successful splashdowns during testing."
Many of humanity's most famous journeys ended with a splashdown: Apollo spacecraft returned from the Moon and descended into the ocean.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does splashdown come from?
“Splashdown” is a compound formed from “splash” and “down,” combining the idea of hitting the water with a downward movement. The compound belongs to the vocabulary of modern spaceflight and reflects the image of a spacecraft descending into the sea. Its formation follows the same English compound pattern seen in related forms such as “splashing” and “splashy.”
Related word forms
How splashdown is actually used
The noun is chiefly associated with spacecraft and spaceflight. When used as a verb, it is generally written as the phrasal verb “splash down.”
Easily confused with splashdown
A splashdown is a landing in water, whereas a touchdown is a landing on a solid surface.