| Acronym | Meaning |
| ACL | Advanced Computing Laboratory |
| DCA | Washington National Airport |
| LDS | Linear Depolarization Ratio |
| SPEC | Scientific Programs Evaluation Committee |
| MVS/XA | Multiple Virtual Systems/Extended Architecture |
| AMS | Applied Mathematical Science |
| ERS-1 | European Remote Sensing Satellite 1 |
| TSAO | Tropical Semiannual Oscillation |
| DFS | Design And Fabrication Services |
| FDDA | Fiber Distributed Data Interface |