| Acronym | Meaning |
| AFWTR | USAF's WTR |
| CNO | Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen |
| E | Elliptical (for Galaxies) |
| GRO | Gamma Ray Observatory |
| ACRV | Astronaut Crew Rescue Vehicle |
| EAFB | Edwards Air Force Base |
| COMPTEL | COMPton TELescope |
| ARISTOTELES | Applications And Research Involving Space Technologies Observing The Earth's Field From Low Earth Orbiting Satellite |
| HEAO | High Energy Astronomical Observatory |
| OTFE | Oscillatory Thermocapillary Flow Experiment |