What is another word for de-orbit?
Pronunciation: [dəɹˈɔːbɪt] (IPA) 
De-orbit refers to the act of bringing a spacecraft or satellite back to Earth by altering its trajectory. There are several synonyms to de-orbit, such as reentry, descent, return to Earth, and landing. Reentry refers to the process of a spacecraft or satellite entering Earth's atmosphere after orbiting the planet. Descent pertains to the act of lowering the altitude of a spacecraft or satellite gradually. Return to Earth implies that the spacecraft or satellite was launched from Earth's surface and is coming back after completing its mission. Landing is the final stage of de-orbiting when the spacecraft or satellite touches down on Earth's surface. All in all, these synonyms all depict the act of bringing a spacecraft or satellite back to Earth after orbiting in space.
