| Acronym | Meaning |
| HCMM | Heat Capacity Mapping Mission |
| INTELSAT | International Telecommunications Satellite |
| BMFT | Bundesministerium Fuer Forschung Und Technologie |
| EUMETSAT | European Meterological Satellite Organisation |
| IGM | InterGalactic Medium |
| MCC | Mission Control Center |
| CMB | Cosmic Microwave Background |
| RTG | Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator |
| HF | High Frequency |
| OTFE | Oscillatory Thermocapillary Flow Experiment |