Spaceport stations are facilities where spacecraft are launched and landed back on Earth. Synonyms for the term "spaceport station" include launch facility, space center, spaceport, spaceship center, and rocket range. Each of these terms is typically used to describe the facilities where different stages of the spacecraft launch process take place. A space center typically includes not just the launching pad but also the headquarters for mission control, research and development facilities, and training centers for astronauts. A rocket range is a location where rockets are tested as a precursor to actual launches. Spaceports and spaceship centers tend to be larger facilities and often include support structures such as housing complexes for staff and their families.