1. to remove (a spacecraft or satellite) from orbit, typically by firing engines to slow it down so it falls back to Earth
Usage: technical; aerospace

Examples

• The space agency decided to deorbit the aging satellite after 20 years in service.
• Engineers will deorbit the space station module in a controlled manner to ensure it burns up safely.
• The spacecraft was deorbited over the Pacific Ocean to minimize any risk to populated areas.
• Mission control sent commands to deorbit the probe before its fuel ran out.
• They deorbited the defunct communications satellite to clear space debris from that orbital zone.