service module

noun

: a space vehicle module that contains oxygen, water, fuel cells, propellant tanks, and the main rocket engine

Examples of service module in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The spacecraft is undergoing acoustic testing prior to integration with its service module, the next major step in the assembly process, NASA said Tuesday. USA TODAY, 10 Aug. 2023 However, the service module — the part of Orion below the capsule that houses the thrusters, solar arrays, communications equipment and other supplies — was built by Airbus, and was one of the contributions by the European Space Agency to the Artemis program. Kenneth Chang, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2022 But the rocket pushed onward and upward, sending its payload, the Orion spacecraft and its service module, toward the Moon. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 16 Nov. 2022 Finally, the service module will detach and burn up upon reentry, while the orbiter will splash down into the ocean with, hopefully, some good whiskey on board. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 8 June 2023 Thirteen of the valves in the spacecraft’s service module fused shut after a leak, forcing the company to stand down and redesign the system. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 1 June 2023 Unfortunately, the lunar landing was aborted just two days later after an oxygen tank in the service module failed. Kevinisha Walker, Los Angeles Times, 11 Apr. 2023 The command and service module built by Rockwell International got astronauts to space and back to Earth and was 34 feet long and 13 feet wide. Lee Roop | Lroop@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023 The service module is designed to burn up in the Earth's atmosphere over a stretch of the Pacific Ocean routinely used for the safe disposal of junk space hardware. Jamie Groh, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2022 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'service module.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of service module was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near service module

Cite this Entry

“Service module.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/service%20module. Accessed 2 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

service module

noun
: a part of a space vehicle containing oxygen, water, fuel cells, fuel tanks, and the main rocket engine
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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