the space battles are between spaceships, but it’s not only "spaceships". Spaceships are divided into Capital ships (aka Capships) and fighters. Capital ships are HUGE, and they have large firepower and strong shields and armor. But, Capships are much slower than fighters.

From the other hand, fighters, are smaller, have less guns, and less powerful missiles, but are a lot more maneuverable than capships. Some fighters are bombers, who carry very powerful missiles, that can even destroy capships.

Carriers are large capships that can launch fighters and bombers.

You can compare it to today’s military forces:

Capships: Battleship, Carrier, destroyer, cruiser, drone, etc.

Fighters: Mig-29, F-14, etc.

Bombers: B-2, B-52, Blackjack, etc.