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launch pad

or ��ܲԳ��p��

noun

the platform on which a missile or launch vehicle undergoes final prelaunch checkout and countdown and from which it is launched from the surface of the earth.
something that serves to launch or initiate:
He used his legal experience as a launch pad for his career in politics.

launch pad

noun

a platform from which a spacecraft, rocket, etc, is launched
an effective starting point for a career, enterprise, or campaign

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Word History and Origins

Origin of launch pad¹

First recorded in 1955–60

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The New Shepard rocket is designed to be fully reusable and its booster returns to the launch pad for vertical landings after each flight, reducing overall costs.

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The importance of the Moon to many private firms, said Dr Barber, was to use it as a launch pad for exploring the rest of space.

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Belarus, a nominally independent European nation but now almost completely in-step with Moscow, was used as a launch pad to attack Ukraine.

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In October, Elon Musk's Starship rocket completed a world first after part of it was captured on its return to the launch pad.

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For the first time ever, SpaceX successfully manoeuvred the bottom part of the vehicle, the Super Heavy booster, back to the launch pad.

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Related Words

launching pad

launcher launch shoe

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