| Acronym | Meaning |
| TSS | Targeted Search System / Tethered Satellite System |
| JCMT | James Clerk Maxwell Telescope |
| CFPA | Center For Particle Astrophysics (Berkeley) |
| CRL | Communication Research Lab |
| PHA | Physics And Astronomy |
| AMOS | Air Force Maui Optical System |
| JILA | Joint Institute For Laboratory Astrophysics |
| PI | Principal Investigator |
| AOA | Abort Once Around (shuttle Abort Plan) |
| CFA | Harvard-Smithsonian Center For Astrophysics |