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First time I've heard the term "on-orbit" rather than "in-orbit".

To my amateur ear it sounds wrong - like a submerged submarine described as "on-sea". There's a good discussion of why it's that way here: https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/5320/in-orbit-vs...

I like the explanation that something on its way to the correct orbit is "in orbit" and then "on-orbit" when it gets there but is that actually right?

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I think the correct answer is -

"On Orbit typically is used to refer to where an action, experiment, or operation is taking place - https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/11/gramm...

The Atlantic asks NASA and they in turn look at the reports and say the above, but strangely The Atlantic ends up with a English professions definition which is what Stack perhaps repeats.

Google seems to agree it's actions if you look at results. It's servicing, rendezvous and capture, refueling, assembly, breakups

I think of it as “in [any] orbit” vs “on [target] orbit”

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