What is the difference between a go-around and a missed approach?
Approach, missed approach, departure &amp; holding
Approach, missed approach, departure and holding are published instrument procedures. They are characterised by waypoints, alitudes, headings, climb-, and descend profiles.
An approach procedure tells you how to get from cruise to short final, from a holding to short final, or from cruise into a holding.
A missed approach procedure tells you how to get from climb out into a holding or to another point from where you can commence a new approach.
A departure procedure tells you how to get from climb out to cruise flight.
Takeoff, landing, go around &amp; touch and go
Landing is the process of getting an aircraft from short final to a full stop on the runway.
Takeoff is the process of getting an aircraft from a full stop to climb out.
A go around takes an aircraft from short final to climb out directly, not touching the runway.
A touch and go takes the aircraft from short final to climb out, touching the runway in the process.
Relationships
The procedures listed above can be combined arbitrarily. Even though a missed approach is often flown after a go around, they are not synonymous. Missed approaches can also be (and are) flown after a touch and go, or, for training purposes, after a takeoff. Also, a missed approach is not the only thing you can follow after a go around: Sometimes, you want to perform a departure and continue toward your alternate destination.