| Acronym | Meaning |
| BMFT | Bundesministerium Fuer Forschung Und Technologie |
| FIRAS | Far InfraRed Absolute Spectrophotometer |
| SAIL | Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory |
| ASCO | Arab Satellite Communications Organization |
| CMB | Cosmic Microwave Background |
| DSSC | Deep Space Station Complex |
| HAO | High Altitude Observatory |
| BFC | Backup Flight Computer |
| GLOMR | Global Low-Orbiting Message Relay |
| PTC | Passive Thermal Control |