| Acronym | Meaning |
| CONUS | CONtinental (or CONterminus) United States |
| ERS | ESA Remote Sensing Satellite |
| OAO | Orbiting Astronomical Observatory |
| TMR | TOPEX Microwave Radiometer (EOS) |
| GEWEX | Global Energy And Water Cycle EXperiment (WCRP) |
| H2O | Water (vapor) |
| M | Meter(s) |
| SAGE | Stratospheric Aerosol And Gas Experiment (EOS) |
| ESE | Earth Science Enterprise (NASA) |
| NESDIS | National Environmental Satellite |