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

While other orbiters — NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Odyssey, and the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and Mars Express — can also provide relay support, MAVEN carries a significant share of the communications workload. —Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Spanning 100 feet from end to end, the orbiter is due to then spend four years mapping and scanning above and beneath Europa's surface over the course of 49 flybys. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 8 Jan. 2026

However, a fresh look at the data sent back by the Cassini robotic orbiter and another go at the sums indicates that the truth might be less oceanic and more akin to a frosty dessert. —New Atlas, 18 Dec. 2025

Spacecraft orbiting other planets have also gotten a look at 3I/ATLAS, including two ESA orbiters near Mars whose observations have allowed scientists to better understand the object's trajectory. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 12 Dec. 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