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
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
Amazon plans to launch over 3,000 satellites into low earth orbit.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for 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
Amazon plans to launch over 3,000 satellites into low earth orbit.
—Steve Mollman, Fortune, 14 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for low earth orbit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'low earth orbit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share