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Suborbital - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Suborbital refers to a flight path that reaches space but does not complete a full orbit around Earth. It is commonly used in space tourism and scientific missions.

suborbital

/sʌbˈɔːrbɪtl̩/ /sʌbˈɔːbɪt(ə)l/

Definition:

Relating to a trajectory that does not complete a full orbit, especially in spaceflight.

Synonyms:

near-space, partial-orbit, ballistic

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

orbital, complete-orbit

Common Collocations:

suborbital flight, suborbital trajectory, suborbital rocket

Derivatives:

suborbitally, suborbitalness (rare)

Usage Tips:

Use "suborbital" to describe flights or paths that reach space but do not achieve full orbit around Earth.

Common Phrases:

suborbital jump, suborbital mission, suborbital tourism

Etymology:

From Latin "sub-" (under) + "orbita" (track or course), meaning below or short of a full orbit.

Examples:

  • 1. The rocket achieved a suborbital flight before descending.
  • 2. Suborbital travel is becoming popular for space tourism.
  • 3. The spacecraft followed a suborbital trajectory during testing.
  • 4. Scientists studied the effects of suborbital conditions on materials.

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