'astronautic' originates from Greek elements, specifically 'astron' and 'nautēs', where 'astron' meant 'star' and 'nautēs' meant 'sailor' (combined to convey 'star‑sailor'); the English adjective formed by adding the suffix '-ic' to 'astronaut' or 'astronautics'.

'astronautic' developed from the modern coinage 'astronaut' (early 20th century), which itself was formed from Greek elements via forms such as French 'astronaute' and English 'astronaut'; the adjective form arose by adding the adjectival suffix '-ic' and through influence of the noun 'astronautics'.

Initially the roots literally suggested 'star‑sailor' (a poetic/constructive image), but over time the term evolved to mean 'relating to space travel/spacecraft' and the technical field of spaceflight.