| Acronym | Meaning |
| SIR | Shuttle Imaging Radar |
| SB | Spiral |
| IUS | Inertial Upper Stage |
| THIR | Temperature/Humidity Infrared Radiometer |
| IGY | International Geophysical Year |
| LPO | La Palma Observatory |
| IMO | International Meteor Organization |
| MODIS | Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer |
| SLF | Shuttle Landing Facility |
| RMCD | Radaiation Monitoring Container Device |