ScienceAugust 27, 2026

extravehicular

ek-struh-vee-HIK-yuh-ler

Definition

Occurring or performed outside of a vehicle, specifically referring to activities conducted by astronauts outside of a spacecraft.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'extra' meaning 'outside' and 'vehiculum' meaning 'conveyance' or 'vehicle'. The term entered scientific and technical English to describe operations performed by humans or machines outside of a pressurized spacecraft.

In the news

In the article, Adenot uses the term to describe her spacewalks, which are technically classified as extravehicular activities. It highlights the challenging and unique environment where she had to perform maintenance.

Climate change is ‘very visible from space’, France's Sophie Adenot tells RFI

Read the full article ↗

RFI

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