| Acronym | Meaning |
| SL | (Comet) Shoemaker-Levy / SpaceLab |
| USML | United States Microgravity Laboratory |
| NOAO | National Optical Astronomy Observatories |
| HRSR | High-Resolution Scanning Radiometer |
| STS | Shuttle Transport System / Space Transportation System |
| ATSR | Along Track Scanning Radiometer |
| NGC | New General Catalog |
| DSP | Defense Support Program |
| PTC | Passive Thermal Control |
| SAT | Synthetic Aperture Telescope |