suborbital

American  

[suhb-awr-bi-tl] / sʌbˈɔr bɪ tl /

adjective

1. (of a spacecraft) not in orbit; not achieving an altitude and velocity resulting in a ballistic trajectory circling the earth at least once.

2. Anatomy. situated below the orbit of the eye.

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suborbital British  

/ sʌbˈɔːbɪtəl /

adjective

1. (of a rocket, missile, etc) having a flight path that is less than one complete orbit of the earth or other celestial body

2. anatomy situated beneath the orbit of the eye

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Etymology

Origin of suborbital

First recorded in 1815–25; sub- + orbital

Example Sentences

The cost of the mission, which is the 16th suborbital space tourism launch carried out by Blue Origin, has not been revealed.

From BBC

Virgin Galactic offers a similar suborbital flight experience.

From Barron's

Rival Blue Origin had already flown and recovered multiple suborbital rockets, which fly more slowly and fall back to Earth after reaching their peak altitude.

From MarketWatch

Last month, in its 10th test flight, the rocket finally succeeded in a suborbital mission.

From Los Angeles Times

The license will allow the firm to launch and operate its suborbital rocket Skylark L from the spaceport.

From BBC