What is a spacecraft?
Q: What is a spacecraft?
A: A spacecraft is a vehicle that can carry people and cargo beyond the Earth's atmosphere, through space to other planetary bodies, space stations, or orbits and back home again.
Q: What are launch vehicles?
A: Launch vehicles are spacecraft that are launched from the surface of a planet and usually take-off from launch pads at spaceports.
Q: What propels spacecraft?
A: Most spacecraft today are propelled by rocket engines, which shoot hot gases opposite to the direction of travel.
Q: Are there other forms of propulsion used in spacecraft?
A: Yes, other forms of propulsion are used when appropriate, such as ion thrusters.
Q: Why are spacecraft usually expensive?
A: Spacecraft are usually very expensive to build, launch, and operate due to the very large amount of energy needed to leave the Earth's gravity.
Q: What do plans for future spacecraft focus on?
A: Plans for future spacecraft often focus on reducing costs so more people can participate in space.
Q: Who has sponsored all spacecraft until recently?
A: Until recently, all spacecraft were sponsored by national governments.
