| Acronym | Meaning |
| DFRC | Dryden Flight Research Center |
| CRISTA | Cryogenic Infrared Spectrometer Telescope For Atmosphere |
| CNES | Centre National D'Etude Spatiales |
| SPH | Smoothed-Particle Hydrodynamics |
| EPD | Energetic Particles Detector |
| RTLS | Return To Launch Site |
| DOMSAT | Domestic Satellite |
| DOE | Department Of Energy |
| AOA | Abort Once Around (shuttle Abort Plan) |
| TOPEX | Ocean Topography Experiment |