| Acronym | Meaning |
| RGB | Red Giant Branch |
| LRSI | Low-temperature Reusable Surface Insulation |
| TM | Thematic Mapper |
| TSM | Tail Service Mast |
| LEO | Low Earth Orbit |
| SIRTF | Space InfraRed Telescope Facility |
| UPPP | Union Pour La Promotion De La Propulsion Photonique |
| CIT | Circumstellar Imaging Telescope |
| SAM | Shuttle Activation Monitor |
| GISS | Goddard Institute For Space Studies |