Definition

Noun: A small, manned spacecraft or a detachable compartment of a larger spacecraft, designed to transport and sustain astronauts in the vacuum of outer space and during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. It is typically a self-contained unit with life support systems.

Usage

The term "space capsule" refers specifically to the crewed, often conical or spherical, section of a spacecraft. - It is used to describe vehicles from early space programs (e.g., Mercury, Gemini, Vostok). - It emphasizes the vehicle's role as a protective, pressurized container for human life in space.

Examples

• The space capsule carrying the three astronauts splashed down safely in the ocean.
• Engineers are inspecting the heat shield of the new space capsule.
• Historical space capsules like Apollo 11's command module are displayed in museums.

Advanced Usage

• "Capsule" vs. "Spacecraft": While all space capsules are spacecraft, not all spacecraft are capsules. "Space capsule" specifically denotes a manned, enclosed vehicle, often for re-entry, distinguishing it from uncrewed probes, space stations, or spaceplanes like the Space Shuttle.
• Technical Context: In aerospace engineering, a "space capsule" design prioritizes aerodynamic stability and heat dissipation during atmospheric re-entry, often using an ablative heat shield.

Variants and Related Words

• Command Module: A type of space capsule that was part of the larger Apollo spacecraft, serving as the control center and living quarters.
• Re-entry Capsule: A module designed specifically to survive the intense heat of returning through a planet's atmosphere.
• Spacecraft (n): A more general term for any vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.

Synonyms

• Manned spacecraft
• Crew module
• Re-entry vehicle (when referring specifically to the return phase)

Related Phrases/Idioms

(No common idioms incorporate "space capsule." It is a technical term.)

Noun

1. a spacecraft designed to transport people and support human life in outer space