Dropship

A dropship was a type of auxiliary spacecraft designed to carry a platoon or more of surface action specialists (what, in different continuities, are called MACOs, Starfleet Marines, etc.) from orbit to planetside.

In the 22nd and 23rd centuries, dropships were thruster- and impulse-powered vessels more designed more for atmospheric reentry and recovery than long-range spaceflight. Low-yield warp engines were added in the early 24th century.

lifeboats, on and  starships, were often used as dropships.