What does "T-minus" mean? Origin from NASA? How to use this term?

21 Answers

T minus is used when counting down to an event and stands for "time minus". It comes from space shuttle launches which counts down the space shuttle launch by using the phrase "t-minus". While it is most often used with seconds it can be used with other units of time (days, hours, etc.) Usually, the event is something you are excited about.


examples:

"T-minus 21 days until vacation time!!!!!!"

"Wedding is in t-minus 2 hours!!!"

"Baby due in t-minus 6 days!!!"


In conclusion: If you have an event you are counting down for you can use the phrase "t-minus" when talking about the time left until the event.

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¿Qué significa "T-minus"?


Lo cierto es que este es un término usado por la NASA en misiones espaciales para realizar la cuenta regresiva en los lanzamientos de cohetes al espacio. Por ejemplo, los últimos 10 segundos se contarían: T-minus 10, T-minus 9 y así sucesivamente hasta llegar al 0.

Aprende un poco más sobre el tema

answer

"T-minus" (Time minus) representa el tiempo restante, para el lanzamiento, en el reloj oficial de la cuenta regresiva. Este puede ser detenido según se necesite o incluso pueden haber pausas programadas en el proceso de lanzamiento.

Otro término muy relacionado es "L-minus" (Launch minus). Este se refiere a los días, horas y minutos exactos que faltan para el lanzamiento. A diferencia de "T-minus" este NO puede ser pausado en ningún momento. Al realizarse el lanzamiento ambos quedan en 00:00:00.

Dato extra:

También existe otro término conocido como "E-minus" (Event minus) que se refiere a la cuenta regresiva pero de un evento en específico como cuando un satélite ya está en el espacio.


Por ejemplo:

Un satélite colisiona con un cometa en 5 horas, el personal de tierra de la NASA formularía la cuenta regresiva para este encuentro como: “E-minus 5 hours.”

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This answer is from an article found on an online dictionary site called dictionary.com.


The term t-minus first came out from the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It was used for countdowns, big and small, whether it be a rocket launch or days until a time or an event. Usually, it is a time when a rocket or a spaceship liftoff.


The letter t could stand for the word time or test.

 

First, for the word time, one research showed in 2010 stated by Jet Propulsion Laboratory media relations specialist DC Agle, “When a rocket is getting ready for liftoff, it will be lifting off at a specific time. If that time is 45 seconds away, it is said to be ‘T-minus 45 seconds and counting.'”  

Second, for the word test, another explanation came out from an interview for a NASA podcast, in 2006, the NASA Launch Director Mike Leinbach stated that the t stood for the word test, “because it’s not always related to time.” Leinbach explained that t-minus time could be the start of a particular test that is “independent of the time of day.”


The t-time can be started or stopped at any point of the countdowns. 



Examples of t-minus:

I get paid in t-minus 38 mins. @damagedlucidity, Septem 2018


Bio lab exam in T-minus 10 mins. Fun. Fun. Fun. @YaaGuey, September 201



Its usage has become more popular as time goes on. It has been used in peoples' daily conversations even in business announcements.

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Introduction


Have you ever heard "t minus" in a conversation wondering what it could possibly means ? This is your lucky day because we're going to put an answer on it. So stay here and read below !

Meaning


Created by NASA, the term t-minus is used for countdowns big and small, whether it be a rocket launch or days until the weekend. We have liftoff.


The term is generally used during countdowns to space launches.


Whether they are sending humans into space or just an unmanned satellite, NASA usually uses the term “T-minus” to prepare and lead up to a space launch. It is essentially a countdown, i.e., a sequence of counting backward that refers to the remaining “time” before the exact time of a planned event.


Imagine that NASA would launch a rocket in 10 hours. That’s the “T-minus” countdown “T-minus 10 hours.”

The closer the time of launch approaches, the more the countdown will be “T-minus 9 hours,” “T-minus 5 hours,” “T-minus 55 minutes,” etc., until it reaches the most iconic part of the launch countdown – the last 10 seconds before launch. At this point, the announcer says, “T-minus 10, 9, 8…. 3, 2, 1 and take off!”


In a NASA countdown to a rocket launch, “T-minus” means “time minus”; the “T” stands for the exact time at which the rocket is to be launched. Technically, the “T” in “T-minus” is an indicator of the main sequence countdown time, which serves as a synchronization device for most devices and procedures that must be completed before, during, and after launch.

The “T” in the “T-minus” can also stand for “test.” Depending on the setting/situation in which it is used, the “T” may not always be related to time

Examples


  • I get paid in t-minus 38mins


  • Bio lab exam in T-minus 10mins. Fun. Fun. Fun.


  • T-minus 10, 9, 8…. 3, 2, 1 and take off!


Conclusion


Now you know the meaning of "t minus", you're ready to use it during a conversation and impress your audience in the same time !


I hope you enjoyed this article and I'll see you soon for a new one.

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T-minus is space agency speak of counting down time to launch or take off of a rocket or space ship


A T-minus to launch of a space ship or rocket

Time minus the minutes to launch of a rocket or space ship


When NASA or SPACE X are about to launch a rocket, they have a countdown to the time they will launch their rocket or space ship


Why is there T-minus

There is a T-minus countdown to make sure all all parameters on the space ship are ok for launch. The T-minus time is just to make sure everything is good to go so engineers have a time to make sure they have all the safety checks are checked off so they have the time to lift off.

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What does it mean?

T is for 'time', it means 'time minus'.

How it's used

Used to count down to an exact time, to a scheduled event.



Examples

1) NASA uses it for countdowns to rocket launches, ex: T minus 10 seconds. Meaning: The rocket will launch in exactly 10 seconds.

2) Maybe your friend uses it to countdown to the weekend, ex: Weekend begins in T minus 8 hours! Meaning: The weekend will begin in 8 hours.

3) Counting down to a special event, ex: Our holiday is in T minus 15 days. Meaning: You are excitedly counting down to your upcoming holiday, counting down 15 days until your scheduled holiday.


Give it a try!

Is there a time or event that you are counting down to? Give the phrase a try!

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T minus means something very important will commence at T and T is a specific time.


Usually used with big important rocket launches all over the world.


If a rocket carrying a satellite is to be launched in ten minutes the current time of the event would be t minus ten and in one minute from now it would be t minus 9.


The t minus time is announced every minute until the last minute when it becomes t minus in seconds.


This method was developed due to the fact that so many support departments and people on the ground have to be prepared before launch.


Other people are in control of procedures that have to be initiated at a certain time before lift off!

As an example at t minus 5 seconds water is released as sound suppression before take off with some rockets.

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T- (pronounced "T minus”) is TIME until the countdown clock runs out.

answer

In other words...

If there is a big event scheduled, there is often a countdown clock for it.

This clock usually shows how many hours/minutes/ seconds are there until the event.

For example, if the rocket will launch in 10 hours, 5 minutes, 43 seconds, the countdown clock will show 10:05:43.

In this case, we can also say: it's t minus 10 hours. This means, it's 10 hours until countdown ends and the launch will happen.


T minus is often used in western aeronautical communities, when talking about a launch of a rocket for example.

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the origin of the term

1950s (originally in military contexts): with allusion to countdowns before NASA rocket launches, in which T stands for the scheduled time of lift-off.

T minus

"t minus" is used to indicate that a specified amount of time remains before an event is scheduled or expected to take place.


  • Sam sees her mother for the first time in 15 years in the episode " T Minus 6 ", but Mary Taggart does not recognise her daughter.

  • At T minus nine and counting, the clouds dissipate, and at 8 : 45 a . m ., the solid rocket boosters rumble.


when to use


In fact, T-minus, L-minus, and certain other “minus signs” are all countdowns

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T-minus (phrase)

It shows the particular amount of time remaining before a scheduled or expected event. ⏱⏲



Similar or related words and phrases:


⏱⏲countdown, days left, time left, hours/minutes left, months left

⏱⏲___ days to go, ____ months/weeks to go (e.g. 5 days to go/3 months/weeks to go)

⏱⏲___ more days, ____more months/weeks (e.g. 5 more days/ 2 more months/weeks)


Examples:


⏱⏲It's T-minus 20 days until his birthday.

⏱⏲At about T-minus 30 seconds, turn the switch off.

⏱⏲T-minus (origin and additional information)

It is commonly used in North America and is considered informal. The earliest usage of the term T-minus was in 1950s, specifically in military/naval contexts (as used in countdowns before rocket launches, etc.) The 'T' stands for the scheduled 'Time'.

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T minus is usually used to count something down for example seconds before a rocket ship launches into space.


It is used to describe how much time is left over until something happens. T = time.


A space ship launching: 'T minus 5-4-3-2-1-Lift off!'


A family leaving for the airport: 'everyone better have their bags by the door, ready to leave in T minus 5 minutes!'

It is used to show the exact amount of time left over until an event but can also be used to emphasis that something important will happen soon.

You can use it to pressure your friends and family in a joking but serious way that reminds them that they need to hurry up. It's funny because it's normally used in serious situations but it's also useful because it gives the exact amount of time left over.


'I need to eat now because my next class starts in t minus 20 minutes'

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Space launches have returned to the popular imagination these days, with the increase of private space companies like Elon Musk's SpaceX. You can even watch their regular live streamed launches on YouTube. Because of this, it's possible you've heard the expression "T-minus 10 seconds" before. Of course, this has been around since the beginning of NASA's rocket launches in the 1960s. It's become so common, that it's often used as slang for any countdown.


answer


But what does T-minus mean anyway?

The 'T' in T-minus refers to time. It literally refers to the time until launch of the rocket. However, there are other countdowns as well. You may also hear L-minus and E-minus but those each have slightly different meanings. The 'L' in l-minus is referring to the scheduled launch time. This is the date and time that the rocket is scheduled to launch and that clock doesn't stop. The t-minus clock will stop however, at scheduled times throughout the - sometimes days-long - launch sequence. So, some say that the 'T' in t-minus actually stands for 'test,' since the clock makes routine and scheduled stops in order to perform pre-launch tests. E-minus on the other hand, is a countdown to an 'event' that is scheduled to happen during a mission, like releasing a satellite or docking with the International Space Station.


answer

Photo by SpaceX: https://www.pexels.com/photo/rocket-launch-space-discovery-23795/

What does this mean for a regular old English speaker? Well, the expression t-minus has become commonly used for any kind of countdown a person may have in mind.

How do I use 'T-minus' in a sentence?

Examples:

I can't wait for Summer vacation to start in t-minus one week!

It's been a long week. The weekend starts in t-minus 30 minutes!! TGIF!

answer

Photo by SpaceX: https://www.pexels.com/photo/rocket-launch-liftoff-long-exposure-23764/


Now it's your turn, in t-minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...

How would you like to use, t-minus? I'd love to hear some examples!

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What does the phrase 't minus' mean?

It is an informal phrase and is North American in origin, we use t minus to let us know how long it is before something begins. This can be a planned or scheduled event. You can use this phrase to talk about anything that is planned and will be happening in a specific amount of time (minutes, hours, days, months).


Examples

"It is t minus 5 days until my birthday!" - this means that it is 5 days until I celebrate my birthday.


"It is t minus 2 hours before dinner begins." - this means that dinner has been planned and will begin in 2 hours.


Usage

This word is often used in America as that is where it originates from. You will hear it in many America TV shows.

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T minus


T minus was created by NASA, the term t minus is used for countdowns big and small, whether it be a rocket launch or days until the weekend.


The term 'T minus' is basically used during countdowns to space launches. For example, during a NASA countdown to a rocket launch, 'T minus' translates to 'Time minus'.

The 'T' stands for the exact time at which the rocket is scheduled to be launched.

Or else, it refers to the time remaining on the official countdown clock.

During planned holds in the countdown process (when the countdown clock is intentionally stopped), the T- time also stops.

For example:

T-minus 24 hours till the new season of Better Call Saul!

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T-minus

informal

NORTH AMERICAN

used to indicate that a specified amount of time remains before an event is scheduled or expected to take place.

Background

T-minus 10…9…8…

Created by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the term t-minus is used for countdowns to a rocket launch.

T for Time

In a 2010 Mission News post on the NASA website for the EPOXI Mission, Jet Propulsion Laboratory media relations specialist DC Agle explained that the t in t-minus stands for time: “When a rocket is getting ready for liftoff, it will be lifting off at a specific time. If that time is 45 seconds away, it is said to be ‘T-minus 45 seconds and counting.'”

T for Test

However, in 2006 interview for a NASA podcast, NASA Launch Director Mike Leinbach said that the t stood for test, “because it’s not always related to time.” He explained that t-minus time could be the start of a particular test that is “independent of the time of day.”

Examples

Since its inception at NASA, t-minus has successfully entered the public consciousness as being used for the beginning of a countdown. It’s typically followed by how much is left in the countdown.

I get paid in t-minus 38 minutes.
T-minus 2 days before we leave for Europe.

Biology lab exam in T-minus 10 mins. Fun. Fun. Fun.

So who uses T-minus?

It’s not uncommon to see the term used by a company or organization to announce and create excitement for an upcoming event. Individuals frequently use the term to count down to an event they’re looking forward to with enthusiasm.

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T-minus

The "T" stands for time. T-minus means "Time Minus".

It refers the time remaining for the official count down.


It's usually used for a rocket launch. In this term, the 'T' stands for the exact time at which the rocket is scheduled to be launched.


This is the example of how to use "T-minus"

"T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, LIFT OFF!!"

(It's heard during the rocket launch.)


Another example:

What are t-minus 10 hours?

T-minus 10 hours means in 10 hours you will be sending off, or a mission will be done with, etc,


How do you use T minus in a sentence?

It's used to indicate that a specified amount of time remains before an event is scheduled or expected to take place.

  1. 'it's T-minus 15 days until Mother's Day'

  2. 'at about T-minus 30 seconds the crowd is just going crazy'

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T- (t minus) = time remaining

"t-minus" is used for countdowns.

"T" stands for "time". t minus = time minus. We use this term to indicate the amount of time remains before an event.


For example:

  1. T-minus 20 days until Children's Day

  2. OK everybody, T-minus 10 minutes! I repeat, our lesson starts in 10 minutes!

  3. At T minus three seconds, I want you to stop playing the game and help me! 3...2...1...

  4. It is T minus 5 days before the interview... I'm so stressed!

  5. - When do we start?

    - At T minus zero. (now)

This term was created by NASA and used to prepare and lead up to a rocket launch. Them it became a commonly used phrase in North America.

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What is the meaning of t minus?


Time-minus

倒数计时.

就是Time-minus即时间-减:把时间一点一点地减少

T-minus 10…9…8…

Created by NASA, the term t-minus is used for countdowns big and small, whether it be a rocket launch or days until the weekend. We have liftoff.


when it can be used?

When conducting space launches, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) uses what are called l-time and t-time. L-time consists of actual time that has elapsed, meaning that it is a continuous countdown that cannot be modified. T-time, on the other hand, can be stopped and started.

During a launch, t-time will be used for specific tasks that need to be completed before the rest of the launch can proceed, whereas l-time is used as a countdown to the end of the overall mission. Keep in mind that a launch isn’t just a ten-second chant, but rather the multiple hours of preparation that take place before the crowd yells “Liftoff!”

t-minus is used for countdowns big and small

倒数计时

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"T minus” (Pronounced: "tee minus") refers to the time remaining before something happens, especially on an official countdown clock.

The “T” stands for time and negative numbers (minus) mean the time before the event happens, while positive numbers (plus) mean the time after it happens.

The term was created by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and is most often heard in the countdown before a rocket launch for a space mission.

Example Sentences:
"Liftoff (launch) in T minus 10...9...8...7..."

"T minus 3 hours until the weekend!"

"At T plus 5 minutes you should..."

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The origin of the phrase "t-minus" is actually quite interesting as this phrase was originally used in the 1950s by NASA to signal the amount of time before the time of a rocket's lift-off. Now, this phrase is used in a more general way by English speakers.

What does the "t" in "t-minus" stand for?

As this phrase was first used for a rocket lift-off, the "t" was the scheduled time that the rocket was supposed to lift off. Also, "minus" means "to take away". So, this phrase could be defined as "the time left over before something is supposed to happen".


How can I use this phrase today?

English speakers now use this phrase in a more general way in everyday life. "T-minus" now means an amount of time before something is supposed to happen (such as an event).


It can also be used in a more academic or scientific context for experiments or projects.

Examples:

In daily life:

It would be t-minus five minutes before the bus would arrive.
There are t-minus three days until my birthday.


In business/academics:

There should be a t-minus three second change for iodine solid to become gas when heated.

I've noticed that it takes t-minus four minutes for the water sample to boil.



Ready for lift-off?

Whether you are using this phrase for daily life or in your academic studies, this phrase not only helps you to sound more intelligent but also helps to let your fellows know more specifically when something is going to happen.

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T minus meaning

The "T" stands for "time" and minus tells us that it is something about a decrease, right?

When a timer is set, it counts backwards, and the time we see on it is called "t minus"

in other words,

T- emphasizes the remaining time we see in the countdown timer:)


EX:

For example, there is a 15-minute stoppage planned at T minus 4 minutes, which occurs at L minus 19 minutes. Once the stoppage is lifted and the countdown resumes, the clocks will be synced and show 4 minutes remaining

source:https://www.republicworld.com/technology-news/science/what-does-t-minus-mean-learn-all-about-the-satellite-launch-lingo-in-this-guide.html


It was created by NASA and used for countdowns, but you don't have to have a rocket to use it.


You can use it to count down the days until the weekend :)

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