perigee
noun
peri·gee
ˈper-ə-(ˌ)jē 
: the point in the orbit of an object (such as a satellite) orbiting the earth that is nearest to the center of the earth
also
: the point nearest a planet or a satellite (such as the moon) reached by an object orbiting it compare apogee
Examples of perigee in a Sentence
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Prior to the translunar injection, the crew completed a perigee raise burn to position the spacecraft in the correct orbital geometry for the maneuver, ensuring the engine firing would place Orion precisely on its intended path.
—
Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The crew later performed a second perigee burn the morning after launch, using Orion’s main engine, in order to further refine its trajectory toward the moon, NASA said.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
That altitude will eventually allow the astronauts to prepare Orion for a maneuver to raise the vehicle's perigee – an astronomical term referring to the point at which an object is nearest to Earth in its continuous orbit.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
About an hour later, when Orion reaches that perigee, the ICPS will fire again to continue raising the spacecraft into a high-Earth orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
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Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 3 Apr. 2026
The crew later performed a second perigee burn the morning after launch, using Orion’s main engine, in order to further refine its trajectory toward the moon, NASA said.
—Briana Alvarado, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
That altitude will eventually allow the astronauts to prepare Orion for a maneuver to raise the vehicle's perigee – an astronomical term referring to the point at which an object is nearest to Earth in its continuous orbit.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
About an hour later, when Orion reaches that perigee, the ICPS will fire again to continue raising the spacecraft into a high-Earth orbit.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for perigee
Cite this Entry
“Perigee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perigee. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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