payload
/ˈpeɪloʊd/
Definition
The scientific instruments, cargo, or equipment carried by a spacecraft or robotic rover intended for specific research or mission objectives.
Etymology
The word is a compound of 'pay' and 'load,' emerging in the early 20th century to describe the portion of a vehicle's cargo that produces revenue. In the context of aerospace, it shifted to describe the essential scientific or mission-specific cargo carried by a rocket or vehicle.
In the news
In this article, the term refers to the data-collecting equipment that students programmed their robotic rovers to carry as they navigated challenging, Venus-inspired terrain. It emphasizes the practical, hands-on scientific investigation students performed during the challenge.
Northwest Earth and Space Science Pathways Project Celebrates Student Innovation Through ROADS from Earth to Venus National Challenge
Read the full article ↗NASA Science (.gov)