| Acronym | Meaning |
| EM | ElectroMagnetic |
| COMSAT | COMmunications SATellite |
| GEOSAT | GEOdetic SATellite |
| OSS | Office Of Space Science (NASA) |
| FTS | Fourier Transform Spectrometer (HIS |
| H2O | Water (vapor) |
| GOES | Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite |
| MB OR MB | Megabytes (or Megabits) |
| NCEP | National Centers For Environmental Prediction (form. NMC; NWS Center) |
| HIRS | High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder |