payload

[ pey-lohd ]

/ ˈpeɪˌloʊd /

the part of a cargo producing revenue or income, usually expressed in weight.

the number of paying passengers, as on an airplane.

Aerospace, Military.

the bomb load, warhead, cargo, or passengers of an aircraft, a rocket, missile, etc., for delivery at a target or destination.
the total complement of equipment carried by a spacecraft for the performance of a particular mission in space.
the explosive energy of the warhead of a missile or of the bomb load of an aircraft: a payload of 50 megatons.

Origin of payload

First recorded in 1925–30; pay¹ + load

There is, of course, cheapness to be considered -- the dollar per kilogram bill for putting a payload into low earth orbit.

Up to a Point: A 'Space Corvette' in Every Garage |P. J. O’Rourke |September 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The X-37B has a payload bay about the size of a pickup truck bed.

Will The Pentagon’s Secret Space Plane Ever Return to Earth? |Kyle Mizokami |April 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
According to the Israeli press, the Eitan can fly for 20 straight hours and carry a payload of one ton.

Israel's Secret Iran Attack Plan: Electronic Warfare |Eli Lake |November 16, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
And I have only about twice the fuel supply you carry for a 100-ton payload.

Atom Drive |Charles Louis Fontenay

"We could have postponed recovering the payload and helped you," Scotty said reproachfully.

The Flying Stingaree |Harold Leland Goodwin
But those landing rockets and Lieutenant Commander Brown constituted all its payload.

Space Tug |Murray Leinster
But his hand moved over his pad and he made an impatient go-on gesture with his head, swallowing some of his payload.

Makers |Cory Doctorow
All the wrecks nest there while waiting hopefully for a payload or a grubstake.

Turnover Point |Alfred Coppel

payload

/ (ˈpeɪˌləʊd) /

that part of a cargo earning revenue

the explosive power of a warhead, bomb, etc, carried by a missile or aircraft a missile carrying a 50-megaton payload