orbiter

noun

or·​bit·​er ˈȯr-bə-tər 

: one that orbits: such as

a

: a spacecraft designed to orbit a celestial body without landing on its surface

b

: space shuttle

Examples of orbiter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Investigating Mars from space McNeil and his team used images collected by the orbiters circling around Mars to gain insights about the geology of the mounds. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 25 Jan. 2025

His father was the first Israeli in space, but among the seven who died Feb. 1, 2003 aboard Columbia when the orbiter disintegrated upon re-entry during its 28th mission. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 23 Jan. 2025

Under each plan, the number of spacecraft and launches would remain the same, as an orbiter built by the European Space Agency would be tasked with bringing the rocks back. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 18 Jan. 2025

The module is carrying the mission’s two orbiters—ESA’s Mercury Planetary Orbiter and JAXA’s Magnetospheric Orbiter. —Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

orbit entry 3 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

1951, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

orbiter

noun

or·​bit·​er ˈȯr-bət-ər 

1

: one that orbits

2

: space shuttle