Suborbital
/ˌsʌbˈɔːr.bɪ.təl/noun
Located below or not reaching the altitude of an orbital path around a celestial body.
Did you know?The core word *orbit* comes from Latin *orbis* meaning “circle” or “disk,” so *suborbital* is a modern technical term literally built on an ancient image of celestial circles.
Etymological Timeline
Latin
Latin
orbis
“a circle, disk, or ring”
Late Latin
Latin
orbita
“a rut, track, or wheel-rim; later a path or course”
16th Century
English
orbit
“the curved path of a celestial body; later, a path around something”
19th Century
English
orbital
“relating to an orbit or path around a body”
20th Century
English
suborbital
“occurring below the altitude needed for a stable orbit”