If a meteoroid survives its passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground, it is called a meteorite.

Three terms track the same object through its journey. In space, it's a meteoroid. While burning in the atmosphere, the light streak is a meteor. If any piece lands on Earth, that piece is a meteorite. Most meteoroids are too small and fragile — they disintegrate completely. Meteorites are rare. They're also scientifically valuable: they're essentially free samples of asteroids, the Moon, or even Mars, delivered to us without a space mission.