| Acronym | Meaning |
| SRB | Solid Rocket Booster |
| OAO | Orbiting Astronomical Observatory |
| HIRS | High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder |
| APT | Automatic Picture Transmission |
| SMS | Shuttle Mission Simulator |
| GRS | Gamma Ray Spectrometer |
| DMR | Differential Microwave Radiometer |
| LLNL | Lawrence-Livermore National Laboratory |
| ACE | Advanced Composition Explorer |
| WMO | World Meterological Organisation |