| Acronym | Meaning |
| ERB | Earth Radiation Budget |
| DRL | Deliverables Requirement List |
| ESA | Engineering Support Activity |
| ROPCOM | Remote OPCM |
| IST | Instrument Support Terminal |
| EDS | Environmental Data Service |
| RTVS | Real-Time Verification System |
| UNEP | United Nations Environment Programme |
| NSTS | National Space Transportation System |
| SLAP | Shuttle Laser Altimeter Prototype |