in orbit

Idioms

Thrilled, delighted, as in Dean's in orbit over his son's success. This expression alludes to the successful launching into orbit of a satellite or other spacecraft. [Slang; late 1900s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With 11,800 active satellites already in orbit and that number expected to rise sharply, the team said this approach could make future missions safer and more sustainable.

From BBC

The new approach from Manchester's researchers will link mission requirements for image resolution and coverage with satellite size and the amount of satellites in orbit to better prevent collissions and debris.

From BBC

The first day of their journey will be spent in orbit around the Earth, then if all systems are working well, the astronauts will head towards the Moon.

From BBC

But this turned into nine months after propulsion problems emerged in orbit and the Starliner spacecraft was deemed unfit to fly them back.

From Barron's

"Space regulations don't cover the new problems emerging - interference with astronomical observations, risk of collision in orbit, risk of stuff falling on our heads, and now it is becoming clear, atmospheric pollution," says Andy Lawrence, Professor of Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023