| Acronym | Meaning |
| APP | AVHRR Polar Pathfinder |
| SAGE | Stratospheric Aerosol And Gas Experiment (EOS) |
| AMSU | Advanced Microwave Sounder Unit (EOS) |
| GLOBE | Global Learning And Observations To Benefit The Environment |
| M | Meter(s) |
| LASER | Light Amplification By Stimulated Emission Of Radiation |
| VAS | VISSR Atmospheric Sounder (launch |
| ESSP | Earth System Science Pathfinder Mission (ESSP) |
| VLF | Very Low Frequency |
| FSL | Forecast Systems Laboratory (a NOAA ERL) |