Contact Us

From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

With developments in the field of space, technological innovations, and access to information, many space terms have become a part of everyday life.

  • 9
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Payload: The cargo or equipment carried by a rocket or spacecraft.

Thruster: A jet engine that produces the force pushing out the jet fuel.

Reentry: Entry into the Earth's atmosphere.

Habitable Zone: The region around a star where conditions are suitable for life on a planet.

  • 10
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Astronomy: The scientific study of the distribution, motion, chemical composition, evolution, physical properties, and interactions of all forms of matter in the universe.

Astrophysics: A branch of astronomy that specifically deals with the physical properties of stars, galaxies, and the interstellar medium, studying the physics of the universe and the interactions between celestial bodies.

Space Exploration: The discovery and examination of space using space technology.

  • 11
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Remote Sensing: The acquisition of information about an object, area, or phenomenon without direct physical contact, typically through observations and measurements conducted from a distance using electrical, mechanical, chemical, or other systems.

Mission Control Center: The unit responsible for managing space flights, typically overseeing the mission from launch to landing or the conclusion of the mission.

Spacewalk: A walk or activity performed by an astronaut in outer space.

  • 12
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Payload Integration: The process of attaching or integrating a space research device or payload onto a spacecraft or rocket.

Rocket Propulsion: The system that generates the thrust force needed for a rocket to move.

Launch Vehicle: The apparatus used to launch an aircraft into space, such as satellites and rockets.

  • 13
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Space shuttle: A vehicle or machine designed specifically for operations outside Earth's atmosphere, especially in outer space.

International Space Station: A space station placed in low Earth orbit.

Mars Exploration Program: A long-term initiative initiated by NASA, funded and managed by NASA, with the goal of exploring the planet Mars.

  • 14
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Lunar Mission: A project involving sending a rover or spacecraft developed with national technologies to the lunar surface.

Hubble Space Telescope: A space telescope transported into orbit around Earth by the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-31 mission in April 1990.

InSight Mars Lander: A robotic lander designed to explore the deep interior of the planet Mars.

  • 15
  • 15
From Black Holes to Light Speed: Space Terminology

Exoplanet: A planet located outside our solar system.

Space debris: Unused or defunct space vehicles or leftover fragments from space vehicles that continue to orbit in space.

Zero gravity: Weightlessness or the absence of gravity.

Near-Earth Object: Celestial objects that have orbits bringing them close to Earth, typically within 1.3 astronomical units, and have the potential to come into close proximity to our planet.