| Acronym | Meaning |
| NRAO | National Radio Astronomy Observatory |
| GC | Galactic Center |
| SPDM | Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator |
| GRO | Gamma Ray Observatory |
| SNG | Sodruzhestva Nezabisimikh Gosudarst |
| ATDRS | Advanced Tracking And Data Relay Satellite |
| AAS | American Astronautical Society |
| CITE | Cargo Integration Test Equipment |
| EDS | Electronic Data Systems |
| M | Messier |