parking orbit

noun

, Aerospace.

1. a temporary orbit in which a spacecraft awaits the next phase of its mission.

parking orbit

noun

1. an orbit around the earth or moon in which a spacecraft can be placed temporarily in order to prepare for the next step in its programme

Word History and Origins

Origin of parking orbit¹

First recorded in 1955–60

Example Sentences

By the time I was able to capture enough breath to make coherent sounds, the shuttler was already approaching parking orbit.

From Project Gutenberg

The starship took up a parking orbit around the capital planet of Acquataine Cluster.

From Project Gutenberg