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Author
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Topic: Grammatically speaking?
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mikepf
Member Posts: 441
From: San Jose, California, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 10-14-2005 06:18 PM
   
Hello,
I just saw a suggestion for a "space word of the day" feature in another thread. Great idea. While I understand the need for proper grammar and spelling, I have a great aversion to the actual study of the subject (either because of, or in spite of, having an English teacher for an eldest brother). I've been curious about the term "on orbit" as opposed to "in orbit". Is "On orbit" grammatically correct or is one of those space lingo things? Is there a different proper use for each? Pleaz ecksuse any speling errors in this message.
Regards,
Mike |
Astro Bill
Member Posts: 1329
From: New York, NY
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 10-14-2005 06:28 PM
Perhaps it is like the use of "in line" in Upstate New York and "on line" in New York City. It may be a colloquialism - words or phrases of an informal nature sometimes associated with a geographical region. |
Ben
Member Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000
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posted 10-14-2005 06:29 PM
I've always heard that "on" is better, but I see it used interchangeably all the time.An orbit is not something you are "in" or "on" since it is not an object, just a state of being. The ways I see it used are "injected in / into an orbit..." and "the Shuttle is currently on orbit" vs. "the Shuttle is currently in (an) orbit around the earth." My two cents. Probably helped little :-) ------------------
-Ben www.LaunchPhotography.com |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-14-2005 07:45 PM
"On orbit" is the one people in the space business, astronauts included, use almost 100% when discussing orbits, unless talking to an outside audience where the more common "in orbit" gets used. "On" is more accurate from a technical point of view I think as it suggests the motion and something you can change from and to - "In" suggests a destination such as "into space," more poetic but less helpful when discussing orbital mechanics.That's my take! FF |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 10-14-2005 09:10 PM
Does the term "on orbit" come from the Navy? Seems like I've ran into the use of the word "on" before used in this manner in the military somewhere.Mel |
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