What is "payload"

also pay-load, 1917, from pay + load (n.). Originally the part of a truck's (later an aircraft's) load from which revenue is derived (passengers, cargo, mail); figurative sense of "bombs, etc. carried by a plane or missile" is from 1936.

n. 1 That part of a cargo that produces revenue 2 The total weight of passengers, crew, equipment(,) and cargo carried by an aircraft or spacecraft 3 That part of a rocket, missile, propelled stinger(,) or torpedo that is not concerned with propulsion or guidance, such as a warhead or satellite. 4 (context computing English) The functional part of a computer virus rather than the part that spreads it 5 (context communication English) The actual data in a data stream

1. n. the front part of a guided missile or rocket or torpedo that carries the nuclear or explosive charge or the chemical or biological agents [syn: warhead, load]

2. goods carried by a large vehicle [syn: cargo, lading, freight, load, loading, shipment, consignment]

Payload is 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, passengers, flight crew, munitions, scientific instruments or experiments, or other equipment. Extra fuel, when optionally carried, is also considered part of the payload. In a commercial context (i.e., an airline or air freight carrier), payload may refer only to revenue-generating cargo or paying passengers.

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 warheads and related systems; the total weight of these systems 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.

Payload is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.

Payload may refer to:

• Payload, the carrying capacity of an aircraft or spacecraft
• Payload (computing), the cargo information within a data transmission, or the part of a computer virus which performs a malicious action
• The Payload game mode in Team Fortress 2 in which the attacking team must push a bomb to the defending base
• Payload (EP), an EP by Hunters & Collectors
• Payload (G.I. Joe), USAF Colonel
• Payload (Transformers), various robots

In computing and telecommunications, a payload is the part of transmitted data that is the actual intended message. Payload does not include information sent with it such as headers or other metadata, sometimes referred to as overhead data, sent solely to facilitate payload delivery.

In computer security, payload refers to the part of malware which performs a malicious action. In the analysis of malicious software such as worms, viruses and Trojans, it refers to the software's harmful results. Examples of payloads from malware include code for deleting data, displaying messages with insulting text or sending spurious email messages to a large number of people.

Payload is the second extended play by Australian rock music group, Hunters & Collectors, which was issued on 29 November 1982. It was co-produced by the group and Mike Howlett; and reached No. 31 on the New Zealand Singles Chart but did not reach the top 100 in Australia. Its lead single, "Lumps of Lead", was also released in November but did not chart in either Australia or New Zealand despite a music video by film maker, Richard Lowenstein.