Editing Payload (section)

{{short description|Carrying capacity of a vehicle}}
{{other uses}}
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'''Payload''' is the object or the entity that is being carried by an [[aircraft]] or [[launch vehicle]]. Sometimes payload also refers to the carrying capacity of an aircraft or launch vehicle, usually measured in terms of weight. Depending on the nature of the flight or mission, the payload of a vehicle may include [[cargo]], [[passenger]]s, [[flight crew]], [[munition]]s, scientific instruments or experiments, or other equipment. Extra fuel, when optionally carried, is also considered part of the payload.<ref>{{cite book |title=A Dictionary of Aviation |first=David W. |last=Wragg |isbn=9780850451634 |edition=first |publisher=Osprey |date=1973 |page=210 }}</ref>

In a commercial context (i.e., an [[airline]] or [[air freight carrier]]), payload may refer only to revenue-generating cargo or paying passengers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/payload|title=Payload - Define Payload at Dictionary.com|work=Dictionary.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212080445/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/payload|archive-date=2013-12-12}}</ref> A payload of [[aircraft ordnance|ordnance]] carried by a [[combat aircraft]] is sometimes alternatively referred to as the aircraft's '''warload'''.

For a rocket, the payload can be a [[satellite]], [[space probe]], or [[spacecraft]] carrying humans, animals, or cargo. For a [[ballistic missile]], the payload is one or more [[warhead]]s and related systems; their total weight is referred to as the [[throw-weight]].

The fraction of payload to the total liftoff weight of the air or spacecraft is known as the "[[payload fraction]]". When the weight of the payload and fuel are considered together, it is known as the "[[useful load fraction]]". In spacecraft, "mass fraction" is normally used, which is the ratio of payload to everything else, including the rocket structure.<ref>Launius, Roger D. Jenkins, Dennis R. 2002. ''To Reach the High Frontier: A History of U.S. Launch Vehicles''. Univ. Pr. of Kentucky. {{ISBN|978-0-8131-2245-8}}</ref>