extravehicular

adjective

ex·​tra·​ve·​hic·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-vē-ˈhi-kyə-lər 

: taking place outside a vehicle (such as a spacecraft)

extravehicular activity

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

The robotic arm on the China Space Station (CSS) is designed to help astronauts perform extravehicular activities. —IEEE Spectrum, 9 July 2021

Unlike other suits the company has produced, like the extravehicular mobility unity (EMU) and the Apollo suit, these new spacesuits are built with adaptability in mind. —Elizabeth Howell, Discover Magazine, 3 Sep. 2019

Neil Armstrong took this photograph of Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 extravehicular activity on the moon. —Michelle L.d. Hanlon, Discover Magazine, 20 Feb. 2019

The mission set several records that still stand including more than three days on the surface with more than 22 hours of extravehicular activities that resulted in nearly 250 pounds of return samples. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 19 Dec. 2022

Wednesday's announcement means that both companies will be eligible to bid to provide spacesuit services, including ongoing maintenance, for Artemis missions to the Moon and ISS extravehicular activities. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 1 June 2022

Astronauts Raja Chair and Matthias Maurer headed out on a routine EVA (extravehicular activity). —Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 20 May 2022

During the more than 71 hours and two minutes of surface stay, astronauts explored the region on three extravehicular activities (EVA), which totaled 20 hours and 14 minutes. —Julia Musto, Fox News, 16 Apr. 2022

And on top of that, future astronauts will need more oomph for more—and more difficult—extravehicular physical activity than today’s explorers do, to stay alive and functional on another world. —Sarah Scoles, Wired, 9 Nov. 2021

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Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

extravehicular

adjective

ex·​tra·​ve·​hic·​u·​lar ˌek-strə-vē-ˈhik-yə-lər 

: taking place outside a vehicle (as a spacecraft)