A "payload" refers to the cargo or load carried by a vehicle, particularly in the context of transportation and aerospace. In space missions, the payload can include satellites, scientific instruments, or crewed spacecraft. The primary purpose of a payload is to deliver specific items to a designated location, such as orbiting Earth or landing on another celestial body. In military terms, a payload can also refer to the explosive or destructive capacity of a weapon, such as a missile or bomb. This includes the type and amount of explosives carried, which determine the weapon's effectiveness in achieving its intended mission.