[finnman69]

Rockets and missiles are different animals.

Typically rockets are unguided following a ballistic trajectory. Missiles have some type of post launch guidance.

[ichabod1]

So why do they call them "ballistic" missles?

[expatpat]

From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:

Main Entry: missile Function: noun : an object (as a weapon) thrown or projected usually so as to strike something at a distance (stones, artillery shells, bullets, and rockets are missiles)

You're like my wife: "often wrong, but never in doubt".