TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE [9 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2025-02-04
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Launchers (Astronautics)
- Collaboration with WIPO
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- launch vehicle
1, record 1, English, launch%20vehicle
correct, noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
- LV 2, record 1, English, LV
correct, noun
Record 1, Synonyms, English
- launcher 3, record 1, English, launcher
correct, noun
- space launch vehicle 4, record 1, English, space%20launch%20vehicle
correct, noun
- SLV 4, record 1, English, SLV
correct, noun
- SLV 4, record 1, English, SLV
- space launcher 3, record 1, English, space%20launcher
correct, noun
- launching vehicle 5, record 1, English, launching%20vehicle
correct, noun
- LV 5, record 1, English, LV
correct, noun
- LV 5, record 1, English, LV
- spacelaunch vehicle 6, record 1, English, spacelaunch%20vehicle
correct, noun
- SLV 7, record 1, English, SLV
correct, noun
- SLV 7, record 1, English, SLV
- space-launch vehicle 8, record 1, English, space%2Dlaunch%20vehicle
correct, noun
- SLV 8, record 1, English, SLV
correct, noun
- SLV 8, record 1, English, SLV
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
An aerospace vehicle designed to send a spacecraft into space through the use of a propulsion system. 7, record 1, English, - launch%20vehicle
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 PHR
expendable launch vehicle, fully reusable launch vehicle, reusable launch vehicle, semi-reusable launch vehicle 7, record 1, English, - launch%20vehicle
Record 1, Key term(s)
- SearchOnlyKey1
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
- Collaboration avec l'OMPI
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- lanceur spatial
1, record 1, French, lanceur%20spatial
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
- lanceur 1, record 1, French, lanceur
correct, masculine noun
- véhicule de lancement 2, record 1, French, v%C3%A9hicule%20de%20lancement
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Véhicule aérospatial conçu pour envoyer un engin spatial dans l'espace au moyen d'un système de propulsion. 3, record 1, French, - lanceur%20spatial
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 PHR
lanceur spatial entièrement réutilisable, lanceur spatial non réutilisable, lanceur spatial réutilisable, lanceur spatial semi-réutilisable 3, record 1, French, - lanceur%20spatial
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Lanzadores (Astronáutica)
- Colaboración con la OMPI
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- vehículo lanzador
1, record 1, Spanish, veh%C3%ADculo%20lanzador
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[La] invención se centra en el diseño de un vehículo espacial multietapa de transferencia a órbita terrestre baja, que presenta dos novedades fundamentales: comprende un vehículo lanzador entendido como primera etapa y concebido como un dirigible semirrígido, que asciende hasta la estratosfera, lanza un cohete y regresa a tierra para ser reutilizado totalmente, otro vehículo entendido como segunda etapa y concebido como un cohete monoetapa, que todo él se considera como carga útil, sin que se desprenda durante el viaje ninguna parte de él. 1, record 1, Spanish, - veh%C3%ADculo%20lanzador
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
vehículo lanzador: designación validada por un experto de la Comisión de Terminología, Sociedad Española de Astronomía, España. 2, record 1, Spanish, - veh%C3%ADculo%20lanzador
Record 2 - internal organization data 2015-06-04
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Launchers (Astronautics)
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- launch abort system
1, record 2, English, launch%20abort%20system
correct
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
- LAS 2, record 2, English, LAS
correct
Record 2, Synonyms, English
- launch escape system 3, record 2, English, launch%20escape%20system
correct
- launch escape tower 4, record 2, English, launch%20escape%20tower
correct
- escape tower 5, record 2, English, escape%20tower
correct
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A structure mounted on top of a manned expendable launch vehicle, containing rocket motors which can be used to pull the spacecraft capsule clean of the launch vehicle in case of emergency. 6, record 2, English, - launch%20abort%20system
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Escape towers were used with Olencucy, Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts. 6, record 2, English, - launch%20abort%20system
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- tour de sauvetage
1, record 2, French, tour%20de%20sauvetage
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- tour amovible de dégagement 2, record 2, French, tour%20amovible%20de%20d%C3%A9gagement
correct, feminine noun
- tour d'éjection 3, record 2, French, tour%20d%27%C3%A9jection
correct, feminine noun
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Dans le cas d'un lancement spatial habité, dispositif permettant d'arracher l'habitacle de son lanceur en cas de danger pendant la phase initiale du vol. 4, record 2, French, - tour%20de%20sauvetage
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record 3 - internal organization data 2007-02-13
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Missiles and Rockets
- Space Weapons
- Launchers (Astronautics)
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- complementary expendable launch vehicle
1, record 3, English, complementary%20expendable%20launch%20vehicle
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
- CELV 2, record 3, English, CELV
correct
Record 3, Synonyms, English
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Missiles et roquettes
- Armes orbitales
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- lanceur non réutilisable CELV
1, record 3, French, lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable%20CELV
masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Programme CELV. 2, record 3, French, - lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable%20CELV
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2007-02-05
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Astronautics
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- roll axis
1, record 4, English, roll%20axis
correct, officially approved
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- axis of roll 2, record 4, English, axis%20of%20roll
correct, officially approved
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The local orbital reference system is defined at each point of the orbit by three unit vectors. These vectors are derived from the satellite position and velocity vectors: Vector L is colinear with position vector P (on the axis between the Earth’s centre and the satellite). It defines the yaw axis. Vector T is perpendicular to the orbital plane (vector L, vector V). It defines the pitch axis. Vector R completes the set of orthogonal axes. It lies in the plane defined by Vectors L and V and defines the roll axis. It does not coincide exactly with the velocity vector due to the eccentricity of the orbit. 3, record 4, English, - roll%20axis
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Spacecraft axes. The three orthogonal axes of rotation : roll, pitch and yaw. If the spacecraft has a recognisable longitudinal axis or a specified forward direction of flight, the axes are analogous to those of an aircraft, where the roll axis is the longitudinal axis; the pitch axis is in the plane of the wings; and the yaw axis is the "vertical" axis, orthogonal to both the roll and pitch axes. The axes are mutually perpendicular, with an "origin" at the vehicle's centre of mass. For a winged spacecraft such as a Space Shuttle, the similarity with an aircraft is obvious. For expendable launch vehicles the roll axis is the axis which is vertical at launch and the other axes are more-or-less arbitrarily assigned since the vehicle rotates about the roll axis in flight.... The axes of a cylindrical spacecraft(e. g. Apollo, Suyuz, etc.) are similar to those of an ELV [Expendable Launch Vehicle] at launch, but one orbit assume the axis-definition of an aircraft(i. e. defined relative to the pilot's seat). The axes of a satellite mirror those of an aircraft "flying along the orbital arc" : the roll axis is aligned with the direction of travel; the yaw axis passes through the sub-satellite point; and the pitch axis is orthogonal to the other two. For a satellite in an equatorial orbit, the pitch axis is aligned approximately with the Earth's spin axis. The pitch axis is also the spin axis for the spin-stabilised satellite. 4, record 4, English, - roll%20axis
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
In the compilation of engineering drawings the three orthogonal axes are often labelled in Cartesian fashion: x=roll, y=pitch, z=yaw. For the three-axis stabilised spacecraft, the x-axis and y-axis are otherwise known as the east-west and north-south axes, respectively; the z-axis passes through the sub-satellite point. This leads to the definition of the box-shaped satellite’s faces as follows: the "plus-x face" faces east; the "minus-x face" faces west; +y faces south; -y faces north; +z is the Earth-pointing face; and -z is the "anti-Earth face." 4, record 4, English, - roll%20axis
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
roll axis; axis of roll: terms officially approved by the International Space Station official approval Group (ISSOAG) and by the RADARSAT-2 Terminology Approval Group (RTAG). 5, record 4, English, - roll%20axis
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Astronautique
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- axe de roulis
1, record 4, French, axe%20de%20roulis
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le repère orbital local est défini en chaque point de l'orbite par les trois vecteurs unitaires. Ces vecteurs sont construits à partir du vecteur position et du vecteur vitesse du satellite : le vecteur L est colinéaire au vecteur position P (sur l'axe centre Terre, satellite). Il définit l'axe de lacet. Le vecteur T est perpendiculaire au plan de l'orbite (vecteur L, vecteur V). Il définit l'axe de tangage. Le vecteur R complète le trièdre. Il appartient au plan (vecteur L, vecteur V) et définit l'axe de roulis. Il ne coïncide pas exactement avec le vecteur vitesse à cause de l'excentricité de l'orbite. 1, record 4, French, - axe%20de%20roulis
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
axe de roulis : terme uniformisé par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de la Station spatiale internationale (GTTSSI) et par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de RADARSAT-2 (GTTR). 2, record 4, French, - axe%20de%20roulis
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2007-02-05
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Launching and Space Maneuvering
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- pitch axis
1, record 5, English, pitch%20axis
correct, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The local orbital reference system is defined at each point of the orbit by three unit vectors. These vectors are derived from the satellite position and velocity vectors: Vector L is colinear with position vector P (on the axis between the Earth’s centre and the satellite). It defines the yaw axis. Vector T is perpendicular to the orbital plane (vector L, vector V). It defines the pitch axis. Vector R completes the set of orthogonal axes. It lies in the plane defined by Vectors L and V and defines the roll axis. It does not coincide exactly with the velocity vector due to the eccentricity of the orbit. 2, record 5, English, - pitch%20axis
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Spacecraft axes. The three orthogonal axes of rotation : roll, pitch and yaw. If the spacecraft has a recognisable longitudinal axis or a specified forward direction of flight, the axes are analogous to those of an aircraft, where the roll axis is the longitudinal axis; the pitch axis is in the plane of the wings; and the yaw axis is the "vertical" axis, orthogonal to both the roll and pitch axes. The axes are mutually perpendicular, with an "origin" at the vehicle's centre of mass. For a winged spacecraft such as a Space Shuttle, the similarity with an aircraft is obvious. For expendable launch vehicles the roll axis is the axis which is vertical at launch and the other axes are more-or-less arbitrarily assigned since the vehicle rotates about the roll axis in flight.... The axes of a cylindrical spacecraft(e. g. Apollo, Suyuz, etc.) are similar to those of an ELV [Expendable Launch Vehicle] at launch, but one orbit assume the axis-definition of an aircraft(i. e. defined relative to the pilot's seat). The axes of a satellite mirror those of an aircraft "flying along the orbital arc" : the roll axis is aligned with the direction of travel; the yaw axis passes through the sub-satellite point; and the pitch axis is orthogonal to the other two. For a satellite in an equatorial orbit, the pitch axis is aligned approximately with the Earth's spin axis. The pitch axis is also the spin axis for the spin-stabilised satellite. 3, record 5, English, - pitch%20axis
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
In the compilation of engineering drawings the three orthogonal axes are often labelled in Cartesian fashion: x=roll, y=pitch, z=yaw. For the three-axis stabilised spacecraft, the x-axis and y-axis are otherwise known as the east-west and north-south axes, respectively; the z-axis passes through the sub-satellite point. This leads to the definition of the box-shaped satellite’s faces as follows: the "plus-x face" faces east; the "minus-x face" faces west; +y faces south; -y faces north; +z is the Earth-pointing face; and -z is the "anti-Earth face." 3, record 5, English, - pitch%20axis
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
pitch axis: term officially approved by the International Space Station official approval Group (ISSOAG) and by the RADARSAT-2 Terminology Approval Group (RTAG). 4, record 5, English, - pitch%20axis
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Lancement et manœuvres dans l'espace
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- axe de tangage
1, record 5, French, axe%20de%20tangage
correct, masculine noun, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Le repère orbital local est défini en chaque point de l'orbite par les trois vecteurs unitaires. Ces vecteurs sont construits à partir du vecteur position et du vecteur vitesse du satellite : Le vecteur L est colinéaire au vecteur position P (sur l'axe centre Terre, satellite). Il définit l'axe de lacet. Le vecteur T est perpendiculaire au plan de l'orbite (vecteur L, vecteur V). Il définit l'axe de tangage. Le vecteur R complète le trièdre. Il appartient au plan (vecteur L, vecteur V) et définit l'axe de roulis. Il ne coïncide pas exactement avec le vecteur vitesse à cause de l'excentricité de l'orbite. 2, record 5, French, - axe%20de%20tangage
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
axe de tangage : terme uniformisé par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de la Station spatiale internationale (GTTSSI) et par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de RADARSAT-2. 3, record 5, French, - axe%20de%20tangage
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record 6 - internal organization data 2004-12-02
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Space Weapons
- Launchers (Astronautics)
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- expendable launch vehicle
1, record 6, English, expendable%20launch%20vehicle
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
- ELV 2, record 6, English, ELV
correct
Record 6, Synonyms, English
- expendable launch system 3, record 6, English, expendable%20launch%20system
correct
- expendable orbital launcher 4, record 6, English, expendable%20orbital%20launcher
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
An expendable launch system is a single-use launch vehicle usually used to launch a payload into space. This is in opposition to a reusable launch system where a single launch vehicle is launched more than once. 5, record 6, English, - expendable%20launch%20vehicle
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Armes orbitales
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- lanceur non-réutilisable
1, record 6, French, lanceur%20non%2Dr%C3%A9utilisable
correct, masculine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
- lanceur non réutilisable 2, record 6, French, lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable
correct, masculine noun
- véhicule lanceur non réutilisable 3, record 6, French, v%C3%A9hicule%20lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable
masculine noun
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Engin à usage unique, utilisé pour le lancement de charges utiles dans l'espace. 4, record 6, French, - lanceur%20non%2Dr%C3%A9utilisable
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 2004-12-02
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Launchers (Astronautics)
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- evolved expendable launch vehicle
1, record 7, English, evolved%20expendable%20launch%20vehicle
correct
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
- EELV 2, record 7, English, EELV
correct
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle(EELV) program is a space launch system development program. The purpose of this program is to replace the current fleet of medium to heavy-lift class expendable launch vehicles(Titan II), Delta II, Atlas II, and Itan IV) with a more affordable family of space launch vehicles. 3, record 7, English, - evolved%20expendable%20launch%20vehicle
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- lanceur non réutilisable EELV
1, record 7, French, lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable%20EELV
proposal, masculine noun
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
- lanceur non réutilisable nouvelle génération 1, record 7, French, lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable%20nouvelle%20g%C3%A9n%C3%A9ration
proposal, masculine noun
- EELV 1, record 7, French, EELV
correct, masculine noun
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
Ce type de lanceur fait partie d'un programme américain dont le nom n'a pas de traduction officielle en français. 2, record 7, French, - lanceur%20non%20r%C3%A9utilisable%20EELV
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Record 8 - internal organization data 2003-01-21
Record 8, English
Record 8, Subject field(s)
- Launchers (Astronautics)
Record 8, Main entry term, English
- air-launched sortie vehicle
1, record 8, English, air%2Dlaunched%20sortie%20vehicle
correct
Record 8, Abbreviations, English
- ALSV 1, record 8, English, ALSV
correct
Record 8, Synonyms, English
Record 8, Textual support, English
Record number: 8, Textual support number: 1 CONT
In 1979, Boeing and the US Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory proposed a small unmanned "Air-Launched Sortie Vehicle", ALSV consisting of a reusable spaceplane and a huge expendable propellant tank. The vehicle could overfly any point on Earth within 90 minutes of the launch order and also perform other military missions such as satellite inspection. It then returns to a military airbase and lands horizontally like the Space Shuttle. 2, record 8, English, - air%2Dlaunched%20sortie%20vehicle
Record 8, Key term(s)
- air launched sortie vehicle
Record 8, French
Record 8, Domaine(s)
- Lanceurs (Astronautique)
Record 8, Main entry term, French
- véhicule de sortie aéroporté
1, record 8, French, v%C3%A9hicule%20de%20sortie%20a%C3%A9roport%C3%A9
masculine noun
Record 8, Abbreviations, French
- ALSV 1, record 8, French, ALSV
masculine noun
Record 8, Synonyms, French
Record 8, Textual support, French
Record 8, Spanish
Record 8, Textual support, Spanish
Record 9 - internal organization data 2002-10-04
Record 9, English
Record 9, Subject field(s)
- Astronautics
Record 9, Main entry term, English
- increment planning operation
1, record 9, English, increment%20planning%20operation
correct, officially approved
Record 9, Abbreviations, English
Record 9, Synonyms, English
Record 9, Textual support, English
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 CONT
A specific increment's planning operation may begin several years before the relevant STS launch(or OMV [Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle] deployment from the manned base). A specific increment's executions operations begin with the Station Program's realtime support to launch of the relevant transportation mission(STS/OMV), and generally extends through the initiation of similar support to the respective follow on transportation mission. ELV [Expendable Launch Vehicle] arrivals at Station elements are contained within the relevant increment. For the manned base, increment duration may vary according to the number of STS visits per year(for eight flights per year, increment duration is 45 days; for five flights per year, 72 days). For platforms, increment duration is related to the period between servicing, between deployment and return to Earth, or between deployment and the end of its operational lifetime. 1, record 9, English, - increment%20planning%20operation
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
increment planning operation: term officially approved by the International Space Station official approval Group (ISSOAG). 2, record 9, English, - increment%20planning%20operation
Record 9, French
Record 9, Domaine(s)
- Astronautique
Record 9, Main entry term, French
- opération de planification incrémentée
1, record 9, French, op%C3%A9ration%20de%20planification%20incr%C3%A9ment%C3%A9e
proposal, feminine noun, officially approved
Record 9, Abbreviations, French
Record 9, Synonyms, French
Record 9, Textual support, French
Record number: 9, Textual support number: 1 OBS
opération de planification incrémentée : terme uniformisé par le Groupe de travail de la terminologie de la Station spatiale internationale (GTTSSI). 1, record 9, French, - op%C3%A9ration%20de%20planification%20incr%C3%A9ment%C3%A9e
Record 9, Key term(s)
- opérations incrémentées
Record 9, Spanish
Record 9, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: