Astronautics Glossary

noun a state or condition in which a person or object experiences a lack of weight or gravitational force

• Astronauts experience weightlessness in space due to the lack of gravitational pull.
• When you're floating in the pool, it feels like weightlessness.
• I felt so light and airy, like I was in total weightlessness.
• After letting go of all my worries, I felt a sense of weightlessness in my mind.

noun a device used to slow down a spacecraft upon reentry into the Earth's atmosphere by creating drag through the atmosphere

• The spacecraft deployed its aerobrakes to slow down as it entered the planet's atmosphere.
• The spaceship used its aerobrakes to help it stop when coming in for a landing.
• The rocket busted out its aerobrakes to avoid crashing into the ground.
• She decided to use her aerobrakes, taking a moment to pause and reflect before making a decision.