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

In recent months, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the Orion orbiter that will be the mothership for any lunar landing, has been mobilizing to put together a group of a dozen other industry players who would build a lunar lander from, essentially, off-the-shelf parts. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 24 Oct. 2025

However, a future orbiter could potentially use measurements of the heat to detect the ocean beneath. —Nola Taylor Tillman, Space.com, 10 Oct. 2025

CaSSIS is on board the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, while the HRSC camera is on board the ESA orbiter Mars Express. —Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 9 Oct. 2025

An advantageous aerial view Neither orbiter carries instruments that were designed to clock wind speeds on Mars. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 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