ScienceJuly 4, 2026
encapsulation
/ɪnˌkæpsəˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The act of enclosing or sealing a payload, such as a spacecraft, within a protective cover or fairing during the launch preparation phase.
Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'capsula,' meaning 'small box,' combined with the prefix 'en-' meaning 'into' or 'in.' It entered English to describe the process of enclosing something within a capsule or a protective covering.
In the news
The term describes the protective housing of the rescue spacecraft before it was launched on the Pegasus rocket. It highlights the safety measures taken to secure the vehicle before it reached orbit.
Rescue mission launches to save NASA telescope that's falling back to Earth thanks to solar storms
Read the full article ↗PBS