ScienceJuly 7, 2026

orbiter

ˈɔːrbɪtər

Definition

The reusable crewed spacecraft vehicle component of the NASA Space Shuttle system designed to carry cargo and astronauts into space.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'orbita' (track or rut), it entered English through the word 'orbit.' In an aerospace context, it refers to a craft that travels in a circular or elliptical path around a celestial body.

In the news

In this article, the term refers specifically to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, the central aircraft-like spacecraft that is being displayed in a vertical, ready-to-launch configuration.

See the Space Shuttle 'Endeavour' in a Unique Vertical Display Before Its New Exhibition Launches at the California Science Center

Read the full article ↗

Smithsonian Magazine

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