| Acronym | Meaning |
| ATO | Abort To Orbit |
| RFI | Radio Frequency Interference |
| HCMM | Heat Capacity Mapping Mission |
| JILA | Joint Institute For Laboratory Astrophysics |
| SPARTAN | Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool For Astronomy |
| DESAT | Desaturation |
| CGRO | Compton Gamma Ray Observatory |
| DSCS | Defense Satellite Communications System |
| KPM | Kometen |
| MMT | Multiple Mirror Telescope |