deorbit

American  

[dee-awr-bit] / diˈɔr bɪt /

verb (used without object)

1. to depart deliberately from orbit, usually to enter a descent phase.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cause to deliberately depart from orbit.

Etymology

Origin of deorbit

First recorded in 1960–65; de- + orbit

Example Sentences

This can cause them to slow down enough for some to deorbit and fall back to Earth.

From BBC • Dec. 6, 2025

The SpaceX’s satellites are designed to have a roughly five-year lifespan, after which Spacex will deorbit the satellites, let them burn up in Earth’s atmosphere and launch replacements.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 29, 2024

It will ultimately deorbit and disintegrate in Earth's atmosphere.

From Science Daily • Jan. 17, 2024

Satellite operators in low-Earth orbit will now be required to deorbit and dispose of craft within five years of their mission’s end, after the FCC voted 4-0 Thursday to implement the “five-year rule.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 29, 2022

Just as in the case of a Gemini deorbit burn, we paid extraordinary attention to the direction we were pointed.

From "Flying to the Moon: An Astronaut's Story" by Michael Collins