| Acronym | Meaning |
| NORAD | NORth American Aerospace Defense |
| NASA | National Aeronautics And Space Administration |
| BEM | Bug-Eyed Monster |
| VTHL | Vertical Takeoff Horizontal Landing |
| PEM | Payload Electronics Module |
| SSRMS | Space Station Remote Manipulator System |
| DSP | Defense Support Program |
| MTFF | Columbus Man-Tended Free-Flyer |
| HTVL | Horizontal Takeoff Vertical Landing |
| FPD | Flight Projects Directorate |