| Acronym | Meaning |
| IAU | International Astronomical Union |
| DOE | Department Of The Environment |
| XMM | X-ray Multi Mirror |
| AOA | Angle Of Attack |
| CV | Cataclysmic Variable |
| GSFC | Goddard Space Flight Center |
| AFPRO | Air Force Plan Representative Office |
| MCC | Mission Control Center |
| OTA | Optical Telescope Assembly |
| IKI | Institut Kosmischeskikh Issledovaniya |