launch facility

[/lɔːntʃ fəˈsɪləti/]
nounpl: launch facilities
base de lançamento
1. A specially equipped site or installation from which rockets, missiles, or spacecraft are launched into space or the atmosphere
The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most famous launch facilities in the world.
O Centro Espacial Kennedy é uma das bases de lançamento mais famosas do mundo.
2. A military or civilian infrastructure designed to support the launching of projectiles or aircraft
The new launch facility will enable more frequent space missions.
A nova base de lançamento permitirá missões espaciais mais frequentes.
This term is predominantly used in aerospace, military, and scientific contexts. In Brazil, discussions about launch facilities often reference the Alcântara Launch Center (Centro de Lançamento de Alcântara) in Maranhão, which is Brazil's primary spaceport. In the USA, NASA's facilities at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and Wallops Island in Virginia are iconic launch facilities. The term reflects modern technological and military infrastructure development.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
launch padlaunch sitespaceportlaunch complexlaunch base
Antonyms / Antônimos
landing siterecovery facility

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
base de lançamento
Most common term used in Brazilian Portuguese for space and aerospace contexts
Brazil
centro de lançamento
Alternative formal term, used in official documentation
Portugal
base de lançamento
Standard term in European Portuguese, same as Brazilian
Technical/Military
rampa de lançamento
More specific term referring to the actual launch pad structure

Related Words

rocketspacecraftmission controllaunch vehicleorbital mechanicsaerospace engineering

Related Idioms & Phrases

launch pad for success
ready for launch
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