ScienceJuly 13, 2026
rotorcraft
/ˈroʊtərˌkræft/
Definition
A type of aircraft that generates lift through the rotation of one or more sets of overhead blades, such as a helicopter or the Dragonfly mission's specialized lander.
Etymology
The word is a 20th-century compound formed by combining 'rotor'—derived from the Latin 'rotare' (to turn)—and 'craft', referring to a vehicle or vessel.
In the news
The article uses the term to describe NASA's Dragonfly mission vehicle, which is a drone-like craft designed to fly through the atmosphere of Saturn's moon, Titan.
NASA’s SunRISE Mission Changes Launch Vehicle to SpaceX Falcon Heavy
Read the full article ↗NASA Science (.gov)