First 20 Years of Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry as the Mainstream Analytical Technique

This review traces the first 20 years of Orbitrap mass spectrometry as a mainstream high‑resolution and accurate‑mass (HR/AM) technology. It outlines the historical development of the Orbitrap analyzer, the evolution of major instrument families, and the key technological innovations that enabled its widespread adoption. Particular emphasis is placed on hybrid and Tribrid architectures, democratization of HR/AM through benchtop platforms, extension to high‑mass and native analysis, and integration with ion mobility, advanced fragmentation methods, and emerging applications such as structural biology, isotope ratio measurements, and space research. The review concludes with a perspective on future directions and the anticipated role of Orbitrap instrumentation as the core workhorse in analytical laboratories worldwide.