orbiter
/ˈɔːbɪtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɔːrbɪtər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈȯr-bə-tər/ (ame, mw)
orbiter — noun
1. a vehicle sent into space to travel around a planet, moon, or similar object ins
a vehicle sent into space to travel around a planet, moon, or similar object instead of going down onto it
The Mars orbiter sent clear pictures of dust storms last night.
collocation: Mars orbiter
Engineers checked the orbiter's fuel before the launch from Florida.
launch context: check an orbiter's fuel
The orbiter circled Venus while another craft prepared to land.
Our class watched the orbiter pass over Earth on the screen.
After two years in space, the orbiter still worked well.
- satellite
broader and often used for objects that go around Earth; it does not always suggest a research mission
- spacecraft
the broadest term for any vehicle operating in space
- probe
usually an unmanned research craft, which may orbit, fly past, or land
- space vehicle
a general descriptive term, less common in everyday use than spacecraft
文法句型
a Mars orbiter
launch an orbiter
the orbiter circled Venus
用法筆記
Usually named after the body it goes around, as in Mars orbiter or lunar orbiter. Distinguish from lander: an orbiter remains above the surface instead of touching down.