| Acronym | Meaning |
| GTO | Geostationary Transfer Orbit |
| DSS | Deep Space Station |
| RVSN | Raketniye Voiska Stratigcheskovo Naznacheniya |
| IOTA | International Occultation Timing Association |
| ARC | Ames Research Center (NASA) |
| TEA | Torque Equilibrium Attitude |
| MTFF | Columbus Man-Tended Free-Flyer |
| DDTE | Design |
| USML | United States Microgravity Laboratory |
| BMFT | Bundesministerium Fuer Forschung Und Technologie |