| Acronym | Meaning |
| DFRF | Dryden Flight Research Facility |
| C&T | Communications & Tracking |
| CFRP | Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic |
| APL | Applied Physics Laboratory (at Johns Hopkins) |
| INMARSAT | International Maritime Satellite |
| BEM | Bug-Eyed Monster |
| STIS | Space Telescope Imaging Spectrometer |
| RAE | Royal Aerospace Establishment |
| XMM | X-ray Multi Mirror |
| SMM | Solar Maximum Mission |