| Acronym | Meaning |
| IUS | Inertial Upper Stage |
| DMSP | Defense Meteorological Satellite Program |
| MIMR | Multifrequency Imaging Microwave Radiometer |
| FIR | Far InfraRed |
| RNGC | Revised New General Catalog |
| MBB | Messerschmitt-Belkow-Blohm |
| VHF | Very High Frequency |
| GOSAMR | Gelation Of Soils: Applied Microgravity Research |
| ACTS | Advanced Communications Technology Satellite |
| FITS | Flexible Image Transport System |