| Acronym | Meaning |
| HIRS | High Infrared Radiometer (or Radiation) Sounder |
| PRC | People's Republic Of China |
| AGT | Above-ground Test |
| RDC | Regional Data Center |
| PYI | Presidential Young Investigators |
| SAM I | Sensing With Active Microwaves |
| ITWS | Integrated Terminal Weather System |
| APET | Accident Progression Event Tree |
| GTP | Geophysical Turbulence Program |
| EMEX | Equatorial Monsoon Experiment |