"In Orbit" vs. "On Orbit" Any Difference in Meaning? Q&A

• "In Orbit" vs. "On Orbit" Any Difference in Meaning? Q&A by TomH on 22 Mar, 2018 23:32
• Do the prepositions make any difference in the technical meanings of the terms, or do they mean the same thing?
• #1 by IanThePineapple on 22 Mar, 2018 23:34
• Quote from: TomH on 22 Mar, 2018 23:32

  Do the prepositions make any difference in the technical meanings of the terms, or do they mean the same thing?
  

  
  IIRC, IN orbit means you're orbiting something. ON orbit refers to where something takes place.
  
  For example, "The ISS is in orbit, and an astronaut is about to do a spacewalk on orbit."
• #2 by Rocket Science on 23 Mar, 2018 00:30
• I interpret on orbit as being on an orbital plane....
  https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-orbit-58.html
  http://www.qrg.northwestern.edu/projects/vss/docs/space-environment/2-whats-orbital-plane.html
  
  In orbit is the balance of forces due to the fact that the object has sufficient velocity and continues to fall around the planet due to it's angular momentum...
  https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/orbit_feature_5-8.html
  
  
• #3 by Jim on 23 Mar, 2018 15:41
• Quote from: IanThePineapple on 22 Mar, 2018 23:34

  Quote from: TomH on 22 Mar, 2018 23:32

  Do the prepositions make any difference in the technical meanings of the terms, or do they mean the same thing?
  

  
  IIRC, IN orbit means you're orbiting something. ON orbit refers to where something takes place.
  
  For example, "The ISS is in orbit, and an astronaut is about to do a spacewalk on orbit."
  

  
  that's it
  
• #4 by Johnnyhinbos on 23 Mar, 2018 17:34
• What about when the ISS does a boost?
• #5 by PahTo on 23 Mar, 2018 17:38
• Quote from: Johnnyhinbos on 23 Mar, 2018 17:34

  What about when the ISS does a boost?
  

  
  ISS in orbit does a burn (boost) on orbit.
  
  or
  
  In orbit, ISS does an on orbit burn (boost).
• #6 by QuantumG on 24 Mar, 2018 01:58
• Quote from: Mr. Scott on 24 Mar, 2018 01:48

  I heard recently that going ‘to’ the moon is very different than going ‘on’ the moon.
  
  If true, it says something bad in a historical context.
  

  
  Looking at stars...
  
• #7 by TomH on 28 Mar, 2018 00:23
• So an Apollo CSM would transposition and dock with the LM while on trans-lunar coast?
• #8 by Jim on 28 Mar, 2018 01:44
• Quote from: TomH on 28 Mar, 2018 00:23

  So an Apollo CSM would transposition and dock with the LM while on trans-lunar coast?
  

  
  during
• #9 by Hog on 28 Mar, 2018 14:14
• So an Apollo CSM would transposition and dock with the LM during the trans-lunar coast phase while on a Lunar Transfer Orbit?
  
  IIRC the TLI(trans Lunar Injection) portion refers only to the propulsive portion which causes a delta in trajectory?
• #10 by Jim on 28 Mar, 2018 18:16
• Quote from: Hog on 28 Mar, 2018 14:14

  So an Apollo CSM would transposition and dock with the LM during the trans-lunar coast phase while on a Lunar Transfer Orbit?
  
  IIRC the TLI(trans Lunar Injection) portion refers only to the propulsive portion which causes a delta in trajectory?
  

  
  an Apollo CSM would transposition and dock with the LM during the trans-lunar coast phase of a Lunar Transfer Orbit?
• #11 by Lar on 28 Mar, 2018 18:59
• ZOMG Jim used a question mark in one of his posts. That has to be a typo.
  
  Is it just me or is this thread kinda not very high value add any more, with the question answered?
• #12 by Jim on 28 Mar, 2018 19:17
• Quote from: Lar on 28 Mar, 2018 18:59

  ZOMG Jim used a question mark in one of his posts. That has to be a typo.
  
  

  
  cut and paste