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

Stunning new images from Europe's Mars Express orbiter reveal a rugged Martian landscape carved by catastrophic floods that once tore across the Red Planet billions of years ago. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 15 May 2026

Other Mars orbiters and rovers may also lend a hand by providing imaging observations and navigation data, according to NASA. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 15 May 2026

The Psyche team is also coordinating its observations during the flyby with those of the Mars orbiters that are accustomed to studying the Red Planet all the time. —Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

For years, the rover ascended a feature called Mount Sharp within the crater, aiming to reach clay-rich layers that orbiters circling the planet had spied. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026

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