earthfall n.

the landing of a spaceship or space traveller upon the surface of Earth; cf. planetfall n.

1943 N. Stanley in Fan-Tods (#4) Fall 9 page image Norman F. Stanley
I hope not too many astrogators failed to make earthfall because of the excessively stupid error in physics on which I based a supposedly learned discussion in the June issue.
1952 G. O. Smith Bombs Awry in Thrilling Wonder Stories June 118/1 page image George O. Smith bibliography
The entire criterion of the exercise was whether the Vanguard and its crew could make Earthfall in one, well-integrated piece.
1958 R. Silberberg We, the Marauders in Science Fiction Quarterly Feb. 53/1 page image Robert Silverberg bibliography
The day of Earthfall came.
1965 J. Brunner The Long Result (1970) iii. 22 page image John Brunner bibliography
There was always a chance of an error developing in the remote controls which took over the visiting ships at the edge of the stratosphere and guided them to a safe and precise Earthfall.
1972 R. P. Holdstock Microcosm in J. Carnell New Writings in SF 20 65 page image Robert Holdstock bibliography
Earthfall in a matter of days. Stick with it Sam, boy. Don’t give up now.
1997 M. K. Bohnhoff Ask Arlen in Analog Science Fiction & Fact Sept. 21/1 page image Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff bibliography
He took careful notes of each description of the earthfall, paying special attention to where the correspondent claimed to be at the time of the sighting. If he was lucky he would be able to use the information to triangulate and fix the landing site.
2003 M. L. Klasky Catalog of Woe in J. Czerneda Space Inc. 44 page image Mindy L. Klasky bibliography
You've got another three weeks before Earthfall.

Research requirements

antedating 1943

Earliest cite

Norman Stanley, in the zine Fan-Tods

Research History

Jeff Prucher submitted a 1943 cite from Norman Stanley.

Last modified 2026-09-17 11:39:04
In the compilation of some entries, HDSF has drawn extensively on corresponding entries in OED.