Space Abbreviations
Every orbital, organisational, and technical abbreviation used across the space industry, decoded.
Orbits (8)
Geostationary Earth Orbit
Orbit at 35,786 km where satellites match Earth's rotation, appearing stationary
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
Elliptical orbit used to transfer satellites from LEO to GEO
Highly Elliptical Orbit
Orbit with high apogee and low perigee, used for polar coverage
Lagrange Points
Five gravitationally stable points in Earth-Sun or Earth-Moon systems
Low Earth Orbit
Orbital region between 160-2,000 km altitude above Earth
Medium Earth Orbit
Orbital region between 2,000-35,786 km altitude
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
Polar orbit where satellite passes over any given point at the same local time
Trans-Lunar Injection
Propulsive maneuver to set a spacecraft on trajectory to the Moon
Organizations (12)
Italian Space Agency
Italian government agency for space research
Centre National d'Études Spatiales
French government space agency
China National Space Administration
National space agency of China
Canadian Space Agency
Space agency of Canada
German Aerospace Center
German national center for aerospace, energy, and transportation research
European Space Agency
Intergovernmental organization for space exploration (22 member states)
Indian Space Research Organisation
Space agency of India
Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency
Japanese national aerospace agency
Korea Aerospace Research Institute
South Korean aerospace research organization
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
United States civilian space agency
Russian Space Agency
State corporation for Russian space activities
UAE Space Agency
United Arab Emirates space agency
Infrastructure (5)
Chinese Space Station
China's Tiangong modular space station
Deep Space Network
NASA's international array of giant radio antennas
International Space Station
Modular space station in low Earth orbit (operational since 1998)
Kennedy Space Center
NASA's primary launch center in Florida
Vandenberg Air Force Base
U.S. Space Force base for polar orbit launches
Technology (14)
Attitude Determination and Control System
System for determining and controlling spacecraft orientation
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
Computer systems that can learn and make decisions
Attitude and Orbit Control System
System that controls spacecraft orientation and orbital position
Earth Observation
Gathering information about Earth using remote sensing satellites
Electrical Power System
Spacecraft subsystem that generates, stores, and distributes electrical power
Global Navigation Satellite System
Generic term for satellite navigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou)
Global Positioning System
U.S. satellite navigation system
Internet of Things
Network of connected devices, including satellite-enabled sensors
In-Situ Resource Utilization
Using materials found on other celestial bodies
Radio Frequency
Electromagnetic frequency range used for wireless communication
Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
Electrical generator using radioactive decay heat
Synthetic Aperture Radar
Radar imaging technique using motion to create high-resolution images
Satellite Communications
Communication via artificial satellites
Telemetry, Tracking, and Command
Ground-based system for satellite communication and control
Propulsion (8)
Electric Propulsion
Propulsion using electrically accelerated propellant
Specific Impulse
Measure of propulsion efficiency (thrust per unit fuel flow)
Liquid Hydrogen
Cryogenic rocket fuel
Liquid Oxygen
Cryogenic oxidizer for rocket propulsion
Nuclear Thermal Propulsion
Propulsion using nuclear reactor to heat propellant
Rocket Propellant-1
Refined kerosene used as rocket fuel
Solar Electric Propulsion
Electric propulsion powered by solar panels
Solid Rocket Booster
Rocket booster using solid propellant
Satellites (5)
Cube Satellite
Miniaturized satellite in standardized 10cm cube units
Geostationary Satellite
Satellite in geostationary orbit
Non-Geostationary Orbit
Any orbit that is not geostationary (LEO, MEO, HEO)
Small Satellite
Satellites under 500 kg, including microsats and nanosats
Very Low Earth Orbit
Orbits below 450 km altitude
Business (12)
Commercial Off-The-Shelf
Commercially available components or systems
Export Administration Regulations
U.S. regulations controlling dual-use technology exports
International Traffic in Arms Regulations
U.S. regulations controlling export of defense articles
Memorandum of Understanding
Agreement between parties describing intended collaboration
New Space
Modern commercial space industry focused on innovation and cost reduction
Old Space
Traditional aerospace industry and government contractors
Small Business Innovation Research
U.S. government program for small business R&D
Special Purpose Acquisition Company
Shell corporation for taking private companies public
Space Situational Awareness
Knowledge of objects and activities in space
Space Traffic Management
Coordination of activities in space to prevent collisions
Small Business Technology Transfer
U.S. program for small business-research institution partnerships
Venture Capital
Private equity financing for startups with high growth potential
Operations (16)
Active Debris Removal
Removal of space debris from orbit
Critical Design Review
Milestone review before hardware fabrication
Department of Defense
U.S. military department
End of Life
Planned termination of satellite operations
Extra-Vehicular Activity
Spacewalk outside a spacecraft
Flight Readiness Review
Final review before launch
Intra-Vehicular Activity
Activity inside a spacecraft
Main Engine Cutoff
Shutdown of rocket's main engines
National Reconnaissance Office
U.S. intelligence agency for satellite reconnaissance
On-Orbit Servicing
Maintenance, repair, or upgrade of satellites in space
Preliminary Design Review
Milestone review of initial system design
Rendezvous and Proximity Operations
Operations involving close approach between spacecraft
Space Development Agency
U.S. DOD agency for rapid space capability development
Second Stage Engine Cutoff
Shutdown of rocket's second stage engine
Time Zero
Moment of launch or key mission event
United States Space Force
U.S. military branch for space operations
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