Why do they say "On Orbit?"

[Dave.C.Robinson]

This is something that's bugged me for a while now. In all the old science fiction I read they used the term "in orbit." Whenever anyone speaks on NASA's behalf nowadays they use the term "on orbit."

That always sounds like they put the astronauts or even the shuttle on a very high shelf. I always thought "on" referred to a location where "in" would apply to a condition, and orbit is more a condition than a location.

[blacbird]

Sounds like one of the militarese things, like the way they turn "load" and "unload" into "onload" and "offload".

caw

[James M M Baldwin]

Most likely it is used in the sense of placing something on an orbit. Such as, the satellite was placed on geo-synchronous orbit or on an elliptical orbit. However, after it is placed on its orbit, it could remain in orbit around something even if it is still on orbit.

[ResearchGuy]

Most likely it is used in the sense of placing something on an orbit. Such as, the satellite was placed on geo-synchronous orbit or on an elliptical orbit. However, after it is placed on its orbit, it could remain in orbit around something even if it is still on orbit.
This layman would speak of putting something in orbit, or maybe into orbit.

Anyone crafting dialogue would have to get the phrasing right for the speakers/setting in question. The rest of us . . . maybe not.

Many years ago, when I was an outside thesis reader in a master's program in Management, I blue-penciled work by a military guy. It was filled with military double-talk. I advised him to clean all of that out and write in standard English in his thesis. I don't know how that turned out, though, as I approved the thesis in principle, and the follow-up was left to the student and to faculty.

--Ken

[Jamesaritchie]

As I understand it, "in orbit" can mean anything in orbit at any altitude or ecliptic. "On orbit" means something that is in a precise, pre-determined orbital plane. It means you got it right.

[ErylRavenwell]

As I understand it, "in orbit" can mean anything in orbit at any altitude or ecliptic. "On orbit" means something that is in a precise, pre-determined orbital plane. It means you got it right.

Hat's off for James. "In" is less precise than "on". Similarly, you say "in April" but "on Monday". "At" is even more precise, "at ten" for instance.

[Maryn]

I thought it meant someone sat on that nasty sugar-free gum...