Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

衛星船 (eiseisen) Japanese meaning: manned satellite | Kotomora

衛えい星せい船せん

え

い

せ

い

せ

ん

Meanings

1

manned satellite; manned orbiter

Refers to a satellite or spacecraft designed to carry a human crew.

ソ連れんは1961年ねんに世せ界かい初はつの有ゆう人じん衛えい星せい船せんを打うち上あげた。

The Soviet Union launched the world's first manned satellite in 1961.

Kanji

衛defense, protection
星star, spot, dot
船ship, boat

Related words

宇う宙ちゅう船せん
宇宙船 is a broader term for any spacecraft, while 衛星船 specifically refers to a satellite (orbiting vehicle) that is manned.
人じん工こう衛えい星せい
人工衛星 is a general term for artificial satellites, usually unmanned. 衛星船 emphasizes the manned aspect.

Built from

衛えい星せい+船せん

Etymology

Compound of 衛星 (satellite) and 船 (ship, vessel). The term likely emerged during the early space age to describe crewed orbital vehicles.