Glossary L

Deutsch: Überbleibsel / Español: Residuos / Português: Restos / Français: Restes / Italiano: Rimanenze

In the space industry context, leftover refers to unused or residual materials, fuel, components, or debris that remain after a space mission or a rocket launch. These can include unused fuel in spacecraft, discarded rocket stages, or debris from satellites or space missions. Managing these leftovers is crucial to ensuring the safety and sustainability of space operations, particularly as the problem of space debris grows.

Deutsch: Bein / Español: Pata / Português: Perna / Français: Jambe / Italiano: Gamba

Leg in the space industry context typically refers to a component of the landing gear used in spacecraft, lunar modules, rovers, and other land-based space exploration vehicles. These legs are crucial for providing stable support when the spacecraft lands on the surface of another planet or moon, helping to absorb the impact and distribute the weight of the vehicle to prevent tipping or damage.

Deutsch: Linse / Español: Lente / Português: Lente / Français: Lentille / Italiano: Lente

In the context of the space industry, lens refers to optical components used in various instruments and devices to focus, form, or manipulate light. These lenses are critical for the functionality of telescopes, cameras, and sensors aboard spacecraft, satellites, and space telescopes, enabling detailed observation and study of celestial bodies, earth observation, and navigation.

LEO stands for Low Earth Orbit. Low Earth Orbit refers to an altitude range of around 100-2000 kilometers (62-1240 miles) above the Earth's surface, within which a number of artificial satellites and other spacecraft operate.

Deutsch: Hebel / Español: Palanca / Português: Alavanca / Français: Levier / Italiano: Leva

A lever in the space industry context refers to a mechanical device used to amplify force or control the movement of objects, often employed in spacecraft design, satellite deployment, and ground-based equipment used for assembling or launching space missions.

Lidar (also LIDAR, or LiDAR) is a method for determining ranges (variable distance) by targeting an object or a surface with a laser and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver.

Deutsch: Lebenserhaltungssystem / Español: Sistema de soporte vital / Português: Sistema de suporte à vida / Français: Système de support de vie / Italiano: Sistema di supporto vitale

Life Support System in the space industry context refers to the integrated set of technologies and processes that provide astronauts with essential life-sustaining resources and conditions during space missions. These systems ensure that crewed spacecraft and space habitats maintain breathable air, safe pressure, temperature control, water supply, and waste management.

In the aerospace context, lift is the force that acts on an aircraft and enables it to rise into the air and stay aloft.

Liftoff in the space industry context refers to the moment when a rocket or spacecraft begins its ascent from the Earth's surface, transitioning from a stationary position to upward motion. It is a critical and dynamic phase of space missions, marking the commencement of the journey into space. Liftoff involves the ignition of rocket engines and the release of powerful thrust to overcome Earth's gravitational pull. In this article, we will explore the significance of liftoff in the space industry, provide examples of notable liftoff events, and discuss similar concepts related to launch procedures and space missions.

Deutsch: Licht / Español: Luz / Português: Luz / Français: Lumière / Italiano: Luce /

Light or visible light is electromagnetic radiation that can be perceived by the human eye. Visible light is usually defined as having wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nanometres (nm), corresponding to frequencies of 750–420 terahertz, between the infrared (with longer wavelengths) and the ultraviolet (with shorter wavelengths).

Deutsch: Lichtabsorption / Español: Absorción de luz / Português: Absorção de luz / Français: Absorption de la lumière / Italiano: Assorbimento della luce

Light absorption in the space industry context refers to the process by which materials or systems onboard spacecraft absorb electromagnetic radiation, particularly visible light and other spectra. This concept is crucial for various applications, including solar energy capture, thermal management, protection against harmful radiation, and optical communication. Effective light absorption techniques and materials can enhance the efficiency and safety of space missions by managing the energy and heat from solar radiation, improving communication systems, and protecting sensitive equipment and crew from the intense light and radiation encountered in space.

Deutsch: Lichtdetektion / Español: Detección de luz / Português: Deteção de luz / Français: Détection de la lumière / Italiano: Rilevamento della luce

Light detection in the space industry refers to the use of sensors and technologies to capture and analyze light across various wavelengths for purposes like imaging, communication, and scientific exploration. This process involves detecting visible, infrared, ultraviolet, and other types of light emitted or reflected from celestial objects or spacecraft to gather data critical for navigation, observation, and deep space research.

In the aerospace industry, the term "lightweight" refers to materials or structures that have a low mass or weight. Lightweight materials and structures are often used in the aerospace industry because they can help to reduce the overall weight of a vehicle, which can lead to significant benefits in terms of performance, fuel efficiency, and cost.

In the aerospace context, liquid refers to a substance that flows and takes the shape of its container. It is used as a propellant, coolant, or lubricant in many aerospace systems and vehicles.

Deutsch: Lockheed / Español: Lockheed / Português: Lockheed / Français: Lockheed / Italiano: Lockheed

Lockheed in the space industry context refers to Lockheed Martin Corporation, a major American aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company with worldwide interests. It is particularly renowned for its significant contributions to the space industry through its numerous technology innovations, spacecraft, and related services.

Lockheed Martin Corporation, is a renowned aerospace and defense company with a storied history of pioneering innovation and contributing significantly to the aerospace industry.

Logistic and logistics are related terms in the field of transportation and supply chain management, but they have different meanings.

Deutsch: Weltraumlogistik / Español: Logística espacial / Português: Logística espacial / Français: Logistique spatiale / Italiano: Logistica spaziale /

Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics manages the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of customers or corporations.

Deutsch: Langzeit-Ausdauer / Español: Larga duración / Português: Longa duração / Français: Longue endurance / Italiano: Lunga durata

Long-endurance in the space industry context refers to the capability of spacecraft, satellites, or space missions to operate effectively over extended periods, often significantly beyond their initial expected service life. This quality is essential for maximizing the return on investment in space assets and for supporting missions that require prolonged operational periods, such as deep space exploration, Earth observation, and communication satellites. Long-endurance missions are characterized by robust design, reliable systems, and often, the ability to repair, update, or service the spacecraft, either through human spaceflights or robotic missions.

Deutsch: Länge / Español: Longitud / Português: Longitude / Français: Longitude / Italian: Longitudine

Longitude in the space industry context refers to the angular distance, measured in degrees, east or west of the Prime Meridian, which runs through Greenwich, England. It is used to determine the geographical positioning of satellites, space stations, and other space-related objects in Earth's orbit, particularly in geostationary orbits.