Definition
A region of space relatively close to Earth, generally between about 100 and 1,200 miles (160 to 2,000 km) above the surface, where most satellites, the International Space Station, and many commercial space vehicles operate. Objects in low earth orbit travel fast enough to circle the Earth roughly every 90 minutes.
Plain English
The band of space just above the atmosphere where satellites and spacecraft circle the Earth. It's the closest type of orbit to the planet's surface.
Context Anchor
Pilots may see this term in discussions of commercial space launches, spacecraft reentries, and temporary airspace restrictions connected with those operations.
Derivation
Orbit' comes from the Latin orbita, meaning 'a track or path.' 'Low' here simply means closest to Earth compared with higher orbits like geostationary orbit (about 22,000 miles up). So a 'low earth orbit' is literally a near-Earth path through space.
Why Pilots Care
Satellites in this region supply the GPS signals and tracking data pilots depend on for precise navigation and position reporting.
Grounding Statement
Picture a spacecraft repeatedly circling the planet high above the atmosphere where aircraft operate, while the launch or return path may pass through airspace used by pilots.
Intuition Check
“Low” does not mean low like an aircraft altitude. It means low compared with other space orbits, not close to the ground.
Example Sentence 1
The launch vehicle climbed through controlled airspace before placing its payload into low earth orbit.
Example Sentence 2
Controllers tracked the flight using signals relayed through satellites in low earth orbit.