launch windows
launch windows
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "launch windows" is /ˈlɔːntʃ ˈwɪndoʊz/.
launch
/l/ as in light
/ɔː/ as in all
/n/ as in now
/tʃ/ as in check
win
/w/ as in wet
/ɪ/ as in it
/n/ as in now
dows
/d/ as in dog
/oʊ/ as in go
/z/ as in zoo
Word Form Variations
Singular: launch window
Plural: launch windows
Adjective (hyphenated): launch-window (e.g., "the launch-window period")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A specific period of time during which a rocket, spacecraft, or other projectile must be launched in order to reach its intended destination or achieve a specific orbital trajectory. This time frame is determined by celestial mechanics and the relative positions of the Earth, the target body, and other objects in space.
Synonyms: launch period, launch opportunity, launch slot
Antonyms: (There are no direct antonyms for this specific technical term, as it describes a specific time frame, not a concept with an opposite.)
A predetermined time frame during which an action, project, or process must begin to be successful, often used in a more metaphorical or general sense.
Synonyms: opportune moment, critical period, window of opportunity
Antonyms: missed opportunity, dead period, off-season
Examples of Use
Online Publications:
NASA's Artemis I mission had a series of specific launch windows in 2022, determined by the position of the Moon and the capabilities of the Space Launch System rocket. (Nasa.gov, 2022)
"The launch of the uncrewed flight test mission to the International Space Station, Boeing Starliner’s OFT-2, targeted a new launch window in July after being delayed from August 2021." (Space.com, May 2022)
"Because of the orbital mechanics involved, the best time for a mission to Mars only occurs for a few weeks every two years. Missing this launch window means a long wait for the next one." (The Planetary Society, 2020)
Books:
In The Case for Mars, Robert Zubrin discusses the importance of the narrow launch windows for missions to Mars and how they dictate mission planning and timing. (Simon and Schuster, 1996)
Newspapers:
A headline in The New York Times read, "SpaceX Mission to Launch, Weather Permitting, Within Brief Window." (The New York Times, 2023)
General Public Discourse:
Following a rocket launch scrub, news reporters will often explain the reason for the delay and mention the next available launch window.
When people discuss future space exploration, they frequently refer to the launch window for a mission to a specific planet, like "The next Mars launch window is in 2026."
Engineers and project managers in the aerospace industry use the term daily in meetings and technical documents to plan and execute missions.
10 Famous Quotes Using Launch Windows
"Because the Moon is close, we can travel to and from the Moon at will—launch windows are continuously open." (Jesús Díaz, Smithsonian Magazine, 2018)
"Her work was essential to the success of the space shuttle program, and she also manually calculated safe trajectories and launch windows for early spaceflights." (HP Tech Takes, 2023)
"The launch window is a constraint imposed by nature and technology that must be accounted for before launching every space object." (The Financial Express, 2023)
"NASA's Artemis I mission had a series of specific launch windows in 2022, determined by the position of the Moon and the capabilities of the Space Launch System rocket." (NASA, 2022)
"A team of women, who were around since JPL's beginnings in 1936 and who were known as computers, were responsible for the number-crunching of launch windows, trajectories, fuel consumption and other details that helped make the U.S. space program a success." (Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 2025)
"A trip to Mars, for instance, can only depart once every 780 days at the earliest, so these launch windows are very critical." (The Financial Express, 2023)
"The launch of the uncrewed flight test mission to the International Space Station, Boeing Starliner’s OFT-2, targeted a new launch window in July after being delayed from August 2021." (Space.com, May 2022)
"A poorly planned launch window can result in a range of problems, including incorrect orbit or trajectory, increased fuel consumption, and reduced mission duration." (Number Analytics, 2025)
"Boeing's Starliner had to wait for the next available launch window after a valve issue caused a delay in their uncrewed flight test." (The Planetary Society, 2021)
"If you miss the launch window for a mission, you often have to wait for the next planetary alignment, which can be years away." (The Planetary Society, 2020)
Etymology
The word "launch window" is a relatively modern term that combines two older English words: "launch" and "window." Its etymology is more about the evolution of the meaning of these two words together rather than a single, ancient origin.
Launch: This word comes from the Old French "lanchier," meaning "to hurl or throw." Over time, its meaning evolved to include the act of starting a ship down the slipway into the water. By the 20th century, with the advent of rocketry, it was a natural fit to describe the act of "launching" a rocket into space.
Window: This word comes from the Old Norse "vindauga," which literally means "wind-eye." It originally referred to an opening in a wall to let in air and light. In the mid-20th century, "window" began to be used metaphorically to describe a specific period of time or opportunity. Think of phrases like "window of opportunity," where the "window" is a brief opening for action that will close.
The two words were first combined into "launch window" during the early days of space exploration, likely in the 1950s and 1960s. The term was needed to describe the specific, limited periods of time when a rocket could be launched to successfully reach a celestial target. The first known uses of the term appeared in technical and scientific literature related to rocketry and orbital mechanics. The concept itself was critical to the planning of missions like the Apollo program. The combination of "launch" (the act of starting a rocket) and "window" (the brief opportunity to do so) perfectly captured the precise, time-sensitive nature of space missions.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Launch Windows
The launch window is closing: This phrase is used to indicate that the available time to take action is quickly running out.
A narrow launch window: This describes a very short period of time to complete a task.
To miss the launch window: This means to fail to take advantage of an opportunity before it expires.
To have a broad launch window: This refers to a long or flexible period of time during which an action can be taken.
Inside the launch window: This means to be within the appropriate time frame to start a project or take an action.
The window of opportunity: This is a common idiom using a synonym for "launch window" to describe a favorable but limited time for something to happen.
A golden opportunity: This idiom, similar in meaning, emphasizes a particularly valuable or unmissable chance.
To seize the moment: This phrase encourages taking immediate action to capitalize on a fleeting opportunity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of launch windows from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
