| Acronym | Meaning |
| OAO | Orbiting Astronomical Observatory |
| SETI | Search For ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence |
| SSPO | Space Shuttle Program Office |
| OTA | Optical Telescope Assembly |
| ET | External Tank |
| IOTA | International Occultation Timing Association |
| GSO | GeoSynchronous Earth Orbit |
| RMCD | Radaiation Monitoring Container Device |
| OV | Orbital Vehicle |
| TDT | Terrestrial Dynamic Time |