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Glite Dictionary
step rocket

step rocket

7.8
A rocket with two or more parts that fire one after another and drop away when empty to reach space
  • noun
  • /ˈstɛp ˈrɒkɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cohete de etapas
  • When the first stage separated, the step rocket continued its journey with the second engine.

Examples

  • Most modern space missions use a step rocket for greater efficiency and range.

  • The engineers designed a new step rocket to carry heavy payloads into orbit.

  • The step rocket launched successfully from the pad.

  • NASA developed a new step rocket for its Mars mission.

  • The step rocket launched successfully, with each stage firing in perfect succession.

  • NASA used a step rocket design to send cargo to the International Space Station efficiently.

  • Engineers optimized the step rocket by discarding empty stages to reduce weight during flight.

Synonyms

multistage rocket
vsstep rocket
  • Specialized
6.6

A space vehicle with two or more parts that fire and drop as fuel runs out

is the identical concept but uses an alternative term

Surface Forms

step rocket singular
step rockets plural

Morphology

step + rocket

The meaning 'a rocket composed of stages' is directly derivable from combining 'step' (a discrete phase or stage in a process) with 'rocket' (a space-launch vehicle). This compositional reading matches common cross-linguistic patterns for multi-stage vehicles, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the correct meaning.

Etymology

Step rocket comes from the image of a rocket moving in 'steps', like a person climbing stairs: each step is a separate engine and fuel part that fires and then drops away. So, a step rocket is a rocket made of two or more parts that fire one after another to go higher and farther.