| Acronym | Meaning |
| RTG | Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator |
| NICMOS | Near Infrared Camera/Multi Object Spectrometer |
| HR | Hertzsprung-Russell |
| JILA | Joint Institute For Laboratory Astrophysics |
| BFS | Backup Flight System |
| U3P | Union Pour La Promotion De La Propulsion Photonique |
| ET | External Tank |
| UDMH | Unsymmetrical DiMethyl Hydrazine |
| RFI | Radio Frequency Interference |
| SMS | Shuttle Mission Simulator |