| Acronym | Meaning |
| MLI | Multi-Layer Insulation |
| PCT | Photometric Calibration Test |
| HLC | Heavy Lift Capability |
| MAS | Millimeter-wave Atmospheric Sounder |
| EUVE | Extreme UltraViolet Explorer |
| SAR | Search And Rescue / Synthetic Aperture Radar |
| SMM | Solar Maximum Mission |
| HIRIS | High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer |
| VLBI | Very Long Baseline Interferometry |
| AURA | Association Of Universities For Research In Astronomy |