3 ms·
First time I've heard the term "on-orbit" rather than "in-orbit". To my amateur ear it sounds wrong - like a submerged submarine described as "on-sea". There's
by tjmc 5y ago
First time I've heard the term "on-orbit" rather than "in-orbit".
To my amateur ear it sounds wrong - like a submerged submarine described as "on-sea". There's a good discussion of why it's that way here: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/5320/in-orbit-vs-on-orbit https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/5320/in-orbit-vs...
I like the explanation that something on its way to the correct orbit is "in orbit" and then "on-orbit" when it gets there but is that actually right?
- aaron695 5y agoI think the correct answer is - "On Orbit typically is used to refer to where an action, experiment, or operation is taking place - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/grammar-in-space-are-you-in-orbit-or-on-orbit/381522/ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/gramm... The Atlantic asks NASA and they in turn look at the reports and say the above, but strangely The Atlantic ends up with a English professions definition which is what Stack perhaps repeats. Google seems to agree it's actions if you look at results. It's servicing, rendezvous and capture, refueling, assembly, breakups
- dandelany 5y agoI think of it as “in [any] orbit” vs “on [target] orbit”