| Acronym | Meaning |
| CXBR | Cosmic X-ray Background Radiation |
| APL | Applied Physics Laboratory (at Johns Hopkins) |
| EDO | Extended Duration Orbiter |
| GBT | Green Bank Telescope |
| HR | Hertzsprung-Russell |
| USMC | United States Marine Corps |
| MLI | Multi-Layer Insulation |
| UBM | Unpressurized Berthing Mechanism |
| IBSS | Infrared Background Signature Survey |
| RGB | Red Giant Branch |