fuselage

Definition

The central body or main structural frame of an aircraft or spacecraft that houses the crew, payload, and essential systems.

Etymology

The word is derived from the French 'fuselé,' meaning 'spindle-shaped,' which originates from the Latin 'fusus' for 'spindle.' It entered English in the early 20th century to describe the aerodynamic main body of airplanes.

In the news

In this article, the term refers to the primary structural shell of the Dragonfly rotorcraft that has been delivered for assembly. Its delivery marks a significant milestone in transitioning from individual parts to a functional spacecraft.

NASA’s Saturn-bound Dragonfly spacecraft reaches major milestone

Tioga Publishing

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