| Acronym | Meaning |
| COBE | COsmic Background Explorer |
| PLB | Payload Bay |
| DOD | Department Of Defense |
| SSPF | Space Station Processing Facility |
| NSO | National Solar Observatory |
| INCO | Integrated Communications Officer |
| IC | Index Catalog |
| CERES | Clouds And Earth's Radiant Energy System |
| FITS | Flexible Image Transport System |
| GPC | General Purpose Computer |