low earth orbit

noun

: a usually circular orbit from about 90 to 600 miles (about 140 to 970 kilometers) above the earth

Examples of low earth orbit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The low earth orbit satellite system delivers high-bandwidth, low-latency, and global coverage. Doug Gollan, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 Physicists have long known that these storms can fry circuits, interrupt communication and change the trajectories of objects in low earth orbit. The Physics Arxiv Blog, Discover Magazine, 24 June 2024 The company is also betting that as more commercial space ventures begin flying to the moon in partnership with NASA, deliveries to and from the surface will become more common, the way SpaceX now flies crew and cargo to the International Space Station in low earth orbit. Christian Davenport, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Researchers are concerned that more explosions or breakups could accelerate the Kessler Syndrome—a runaway chain reaction of orbital collisions that could render low earth orbit (LEO) hostile to almost any spacecraft. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Oct. 2019 See all Example Sentences for low earth orbit 

Word History

First Known Use

1961, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of low earth orbit was in 1961

Dictionary Entries Near low earth orbit

Cite this Entry

“Low earth orbit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/low%20earth%20orbit. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!