| Acronym | Meaning |
| DOS | Department Of State |
| EASDS | Earth Science And Applications Data System |
| JWG | Joint Working Group |
| PIDC | Precision Instrument Development Center |
| BER | Bit Error Rate |
| FAT | Factory Acceptance Test |
| MSP | Minneapolis |
| IUGS | International Union Of Geological Sciences |
| ELDO | European Launcher Development Organization |
| GCIP | GEWEX Continental-Scale International Project |