desorbitado

Desorbitado is a Spanish adjective derived from the verb desorbitar, meaning to remove from or depart from orbit. In astronomy, the term is used, though less commonly in formal contexts, to describe an object that is no longer on its intended orbital path, typically after a deliberate deorbiting maneuver or due to perturbations. In technical usage, more precise terms such as deorbitado or fuera de órbita are often preferred.

Etymology and related forms: the word combines the prefix des- with órbita. Related terms include órbita, deorbitar, and desorbitación. The noun desorbitación refers to the process of removing an object from orbit.

Senses and usage: there is a literal sense used in spaceflight and astrophysics to indicate that a satellite or spacecraft has been moved out of its normal orbit. However, in everyday language the figurative sense is dominant: desorbitado describes something exorbitant, excessive, or far beyond what is reasonable. For example, a price described as desorbitado conveys that it is unreasonably expensive.

Usage notes: when the intention is technical precision about space operations, desorbitar and deorbitación are preferred, and desorbitado may appear mainly in descriptive or journalistic writing. The figurative sense is widely understood across Spanish-speaking communities and commonly appears in media and conversation.

See also: desorbitar, desorbitación, órbita, deorbitación, exorbitante.