payload

(pāˈlōdˌ)

1. The revenue-producing part of a cargo.
2. a. The total weight of passengers and cargo that an aircraft carries or can carry.
   b. The total weight of the instruments, crew, and life-support systems that a spacecraft carries or can carry.
   c. The passengers, crew, instruments, or equipment carried by an aircraft, spacecraft, or rocket.
3. The explosive charge carried in the warhead of a missile.