"In the system" vs "On the system"

[Howedar]

I recall at some long-ago time, there was a discussion here about the peculiarity of how GFFA folks refer to their presence in a solar system. It's at least common (if not uniform, I don't recall) to refer to being "on the system", eg "I have the death sentence on twelve systems".

Everyone considered this odd.

Anyway, I noticed something at ATK a few months back and forgot to post it. When referring to an Orbiter, it is always referred to as being "on orbit", not "in orbit". I found this very interesting and worthy of note.

I don't know if this is due to an English rule I don't know, Lucas doing some research, or Lucas being really lucky. However I think it's cool to note how proper the terminology is in this case.

[Master_Baerne]

Seems like "in the system" would be used for temporary objects, like ships, and "on the system" would be for nontangible things, like a writ of outlawry. Just a guess.

[Scottish Ninja]

You could explain that with the concept that orbit is a path that an Orbiter is traveling on, like when you're driving you're "on the road".

[Master_Baerne]

Could you clarify, please? I don't know what you're saying.

[Galvatron]

I recall at some long-ago time, there was a discussion here about the peculiarity of how GFFA folks refer to their presence in a solar system. It's at least common (if not uniform, I don't recall) to refer to being "on the system", eg "I have the death sentence on twelve systems".

Are you referring to this thread?

[Howedar]

Yep. A cursory search didn't turn it up.

Anyway, I'm not trying to explain why the terminology is the way it is. I just thought it was interesting that it's consistent with current technology in the US space program.