NZ CAA Rule Part 1:
Aeroplane means a power-driven heavier-than-air aircraft deriving its lift in flight chiefly from aerodynamic reactions on surfaces which remain
fixed under given conditions of flight
Aircraft means any machine that can derive support in the atmosphere from the reactions of the air otherwise than by the reactions of the air against
the surface of the earth
Heavier-than-air aircraft means any aircraft deriving its lift in flight chiefly from aerodynamic forces
Seems the space shuttle is an Heavier-than-air aircraft (at least on the way down)??