| Acronym | Meaning |
| M | Messier |
| ACTS | Advanced Communications Technology Satellite |
| CGRO | Compton Gamma Ray Observatory |
| COSTAR | Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement |
| MSU | Microwave Sounding Unit |
| AFRSI | Advanced FRSI |
| VFT | Visual Function Tester |
| ELV | Expendable Launch Vehicle |
| KPNO | Kitt Peak National Observatory |
| OSSE | Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment |