parking orbit

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

park′ing or′bit, [Aerospace.]

1. Aerospace a temporary orbit in which a spacecraft awaits the next phase of its mission.

• 1955–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

parking orbit noun

1. an orbit around the earth or moon in which a spacecraft can be placed temporarily in order to prepare for the next step in its programme