astrogationn.
/astrə(ʊ)ˈɡeɪʃn/, U.S. /ˌæstrəˈɡeɪʃən/ Science Fiction and Astronautics.
The science or practice of navigating a craft through space; navigation in space. Cf. astronavigation n.
ΚΠ
1931 D. Lasser Conquest Space xiii. 207 In interplanetary travel we must develop an exact science of three-dimensional astrogation through the heavens.
1943 Astounding Sci.-Fiction Mar. 48/2 Doubtless fifty years hence our pictures of rocket craft will look as crude as the engravings in the Jules Verne books do today. But it is hard to see how the principles of astragation can differ radically from the principles upon which nautical astronomy and celestial.
1963 M. Caldin Man-in-Space Dict. 29/2 A hard foundation for astrogation is the science of celestial navigation (navigating by the stars) as applied to ships and aircraft.
1994 B. Hambly Crossroad xi. 161 We're an independent research and communications corporation contracted to assist with astrogation.
2009 New Statesman 20 Apr. 52 The crew, as the last men, adopt the role of the first, dismantling the hierarchy of captain and ‘astrogation officer’ in favour of an absolute monarch.
Derivatives
astroˈgational adj. [after navigational adj.]
ΚΠ
1940 Astonishing Stories Oct. 49/1 Daxon was equally eager to examine the antique astragational equipment.
1959 P. Anderson Virgin Planet iii. 23 He had intended to study advanced astrogational theory.
1994 L. A. Graf Firestorm iv. 31 The landing party has been denied access to the Elasians' astrogational charts.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, March 2012; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1931