Appendix B Acronyms and Abbreviations

Units of Measure and some Physical Constants

A ampere --- unit of electric current [named after Andr M. Ampre . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1775---1836), French physicist]. 1 A represents a flow of one coulomb
of electricity per second (or: 1A = 1C/s)
Ah ampere hour . . . . . . . . . . . .
angstrom --- unit of length (used in particular for the short wavelength . . . . . . . . . . . . .
spectrum); 1=10
---10
m[namedafter Anders Jonas ngstrm(1814---
1874), Swedish physicist and astronomer]
amu atomic mass unit (1.6605402 10
---27
kg) . . . . . . . . . . .
are unit of area (1 are = 100 m
2
) . . . . . . . . . . . .
arcmin arcminute [1 = (1/60) or 1 arcmin = 2.908882 x 10
---4
radian] . . . . . . . . .
arcsec arcsecond [1 = (1/60) or 1 arcsec = 4.848137 x 10
---6
radian = . . . . . . . . . .
0.000278]
au astronomical unit --- unit of length, namely themeanEarth/sundistance . . . . . . . . . . . . .
[=1.495978706 10
13
cm, which is the semimajor axis of the Earths orbit
around the sun (or about 150 million km)]
bar pressure, (1 bar = 10
5
Nm
---2
) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bq Becquerel [namedafter AlexandreEdmondBecquerel, a Frenchphysi- . . . . . . . . . . . . .
cist (1820---1891)]. The Bq is a SI unit used to measure a radioactivity.
One Becquerel is that quantity of a radioactive material that will have 1
transformations in one second.
c velocity of light in vacuum (299,792,458 m/s) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
cd candela (unit of luminous intensity). The candela is the luminous inten- . . . . . . . . . . . . .
sity, in a given direction, of a source that emits monochromatic radi-
ationof frequency 540 1012 Hz andthat has a radiant intensity inthat
direction of 1/683 watt per steradian.
cm centimeter (unit of length) 1 cm = 10
---2
m . . . . . . . . . . . .
C coulomb --- unit of electrical charge; 1 C=1 As [named after Charles--- . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Augustin Coulomb (1736---1806), French physicist. The coulomb is the
quantity of electricity transported in 1 second by a current of 1 ampere.
C degree Celsius [named after Anders Celsius (1701---1744), Swedish as- . . . . . . . . . . . . .
tronomer]
dB decibel --- a unit for expressing the signal strength[named after Alexan- . . . . . . . . . . . . .
der Graham Bell (1847---1922), Scottish---born American inventor]
dm decimeter (length) 1 dm = 10
---1
m . . . . . . . . . . . .
E Etvs (1 E = 10
---9
s
---2
). The linear gradient of gravity is defined in . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
units of Etvs, named in honor of the Hungarian physicist Roland
Etvs (1848---1919). The Etvs unit is used in geophysics to measure
the rate of change, or gradient in the acceleration of gravity with hori-
zontal distance.
Erlang a dimensionless unit of average traffic density (occupancy) of a facility . . . . . . . . .
(telecommunications system, data collection system, etc.) during a pe-
riod of time, usually a busy hour. Example: 60 calls in 1 hour, each last-
ing for 5 minutes =300 minutes / 60 min per hour =5 Erlang. Network
designers use the Erlang to understand traffic patterns.
eV electronvolt (1.60217733 10
---19
J). Aunit of energy, equal to the energy . . . . . . . . . . . .
an electron (or proton) would gain when accelerated by 1 volt.
F farad --- a unit of capacitance [named after Michael Faraday (1791 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
---1867), English physicist and chemist]. The farad is the capacitance of
a capacitor between the plates of which there appears a difference po-
tential of 1 volt when it is charged by a quantity of electricity equal to 1
coulomb.
f focal length . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3450
f/d focal ---length---to---diameter ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GHz Gigahertz (10
9
Hz) . . . . . . . . . . .
GWe Gigawatt (10
9
W) electrical energy . . . . . . . . . . .
gal unit of acceleration (used in particular in gravity measurements): 1 gal . . . . . . . . . . . .
= 10
---2
m s
---2
= 1 cm s
---2
; 1 mgal = 10
---5
m s
---2
[named after Galilei
Galileo (1564---1642), Italian mathematician, astronomer and physi-
cist]. The gal unit is used in making measurements of local variations in
the acceleration of gravity g. Variations in the acceleration of Earths
gravity (e.g. gravity anomalies) are typically measured in milligal
(mgal). One gal is approximately 0.0010197 g, or 1 gal is about 10
---3
g.
Hence, 1 mgal is about 10
---6
g.
gauss (G) unit of magnetic induction [named after Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777--- . . . . . . .
1855), German mathematician]
Gy Gray [named after Louis Harold Gray (1905---1965) British physicist, . . . . . . . . . . . .
president of BIR (British Institute of Radiology) and elected F.R.S.
(Fellowof the Royal Society) in 1961]. The gray is a SI unit used tomea-
sure a quantity called absorbed dose. This relates to the amount of en-
ergy actually absorbedinsome material, andis usedfor any type of radi-
ation and any material. One gray is equal to one joule of energy depos-
ited in one kg of a material (or: 1 gray =1 J/kg). Note: In the SI system,
the rad is replaced by the gray; 1 krad =10 gray.
H henry --- unit of magnetic inductance; 1 H = 1Wb/A or 1Vs/A [named . . . . . . . . . . . . .
after Joseph Henry, a nineteenth---century US physicist]
Hz hertz --- a measure of frequency; 1Hz = 1/s [named after Heinrich Ru- . . . . . . . . . . . .
dolf Hertz (1857---1894), German physicist]. In 1887, Hertz provedthat
energy is transmitted through a vacuum by electromagnetic waves.
h hecto (10
2
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
h (or hr) hour . . . . . . . .
h Plancks constant = 6.6260755 x 10
---34
Js (joule second) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ha hectare (1 ha = 10
4
m
2
) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
hPa hectopascal (international standard of pressure, 1 hPa = 100 Pa) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Isp specific impulse with a unit Ns/kg. The numerical value of the specific . . . . . . . . . . . .
impulse also corresponds to the effective exhaust velocity (m/s) of the
gas exiting the thruster in a vacuum. See also Glossary.
J joule --- unit of work or energy; 1 J =1 Nm=1 Ws [named after James . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Prescott Joule (1818---1889), British physicist]
Jy Jansky, the unit of radio---wave emission strength or flux density . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(brightness of a radio source), in honor of Karl G. Jansky (1905---1950)
an American engineer whose discovery of radio waves (1931) from an
extraterrestrial source inaugurated the development of radio astrono-
my. Jansky published his findings in 1932 while working at Bell Tele-
phone Laboratories in Murray Hill, NJ, USA.
The Jy is a unit of radiative flux density (or radio---wave emission
strength) which is commonly used in radio and infraredastronomy. 1 Jy
= 10
---26
W/(m
2
Hz). The units of Jy (Hz)
---1/2
then refer to the noise
power.
K degree Kelvin [named after Sir WilliamThomson (Lord Kelvin, 1824--- . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1907), Scottish engineer, physicist and mathematician]. The degree
Kelvin is the unit of temperature determined by the Carnot cycle with
the triple---point temperature of water defined as 273.15 K (corre-
sponds exactly to 0 C).
k kilo (10
3
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
kbit/s kilobit per second (10
3
bit/s) . . . . . . . . . .
keV kiloelectron volt (10
3
eV) . . . . . . . . . . .
kg kilogram (10
3
g) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
kg/m
3
density . . . . . . . . . .
kHz kilohertz (10
3
Hz) . . . . . . . . . . .
3451
km kilometer (10
3
m) . . . . . . . . . . . .
krad kilorad (see rad below) . . . . . . . . . . .
kW kilowatt (10
3
watt) . . . . . . . . . . . .
kWe kilowatt electric (used to distinguish electrical power from thermal . . . . . . . . . . .
power)
L liter (volume) 1l =1 dm
3
[thesymbol for liter is capitalized (whenalone . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
by itself) to avoid confusion with the number 1]
lm lumen(cdsr) luminous flux. The lumenis the luminous flux emitted ina . . . . . . . . . . . . .
solid angle of 1 steradian by a uniformpoint source having an intensity
of 1 candela.
lx lux (lm/m
2
) illumination . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M Mega (10
6
) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mbit/s Megabit per second (10
6
bit per second) . . . . . . . . . .
MeV Megaelectron volt (10
6
eV) . . . . . . . . . . .
MHz Megahertz (10
6
hertz) . . . . . . . . . . .
Msample/s Mega sample/s (also written as Msps) . . . . . .
m meter . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m milli (10
---3
) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m
2
area (square meter) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m
3
volume (cubic meter) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
marcsec milliarcsecond = 2.78 x 10
---7
. . . . . . . .
mb (mbar) millibar . . . . . .
min minute . . . . . . . . . . . .
mCrab 1 mCrab is a unit todescribe the X---ray intensity definedas 1/1000 of . . . . . . . . .
the intensity of the Crab nebula. X---ray astronomers use this unit when
comparing observations from different X---ray detectors on different
instruments.
mg milligram (10
---3
g) . . . . . . . . . . . .
mgal milligal 10
---6
g (where g is the gravity constant) . . . . . . . . . . .
mJ millijoule (10
---3
J) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ml milliliter (10
---3
l) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
mm millimeter (unit of length) 1 mm = 10
---3
m . . . . . . . . . . . .
mN millinewton . . . . . . . . . . . .
mrad milliradian
6153)
. . . . . . . . . . .
ms millisecond . . . . . . . . . . . . .
m/s meter per second (velocity) . . . . . . . . . . . .
m micro (10
---6
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
marcsec microarcsecond = 2.8 x 10
---10
. . . . . . . . .
mgal microgal 10
---9
g (where g is the gravity constant of 9.81 m/s
2
) . . . . . . . . . . .
mm micrometer (10
---6
m) . . . . . . . . . . . .
mrad microradian . . . . . . . . . . .
ms microsecond (10
---6
second) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
N newton --- unit of force; 1N = 1 kgm/s
2
[named after Sir Isaac Newton . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1643---1727), English natural philosopher and mathematician]
Nm newton meter (work or energy) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Nms newton meter second (angular momentum) . . . . . . . . . . .
n nano (10
---9)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
nm nanometer (10
---9
m) . . . . . . . . . . . .
nm nautical miles [1 nm = 1852 m (international)] . . . . . . . . . . . .
nT nanotesla (10
---9
tesla) SI unit of magnetic flux density . . . . . . . . . . . . .
W ohm --- unit of electrical resistance; 1 W = 1 V/A [named after Georg . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Simon Ohm (1789---1854), German physicist
Pa pascal --- unit of pressure; 1 Pa = 1 N/m
2
[named after Blaise Pascal . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1623---1662), French mathematician and physicist]. Normal atmo-
spheric pressure = 101,320 Pa (1,013.2 millibar)
_____________________
6153) An example is given to better visualize the plane angle of a milliradian. The apparent sun disk angle as seen from
Earth is 32 26 (max, or about 30.7 mrad), and 31 31 (min) --- --- on average about 32 arcmin.
3452
p pico (10
---12
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pC picocoulomb (10
---12
coulomb) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
pT picotesla (10
---12
tesla) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
parsec pc =astronomical unit of length. It represents the distance at whichthe . . . . . . . . . .
radius of the Earths orbit subtends an angle of one second of arc; thus a
star at a distance of one parsec wouldhave a parallax of one second, and
the distance of anobject inparsecs is the reciprocal of its parallax insec-
onds of arc. One parsec equals 3.26 light---years, which is equivalent to
3.08374 x 10
13
km
ppb parts per billion (10
---9
) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ppbv parts per billion, by volume . . . . . . . . . . .
ppm parts per million (10
---6
) . . . . . . . . . . .
ppmv parts per million, volume . . . . . . . . . .
pps pulses per second . . . . . . . . . . . .
ppt parts per trillion (10
---12
) . . . . . . . . . . . .
pptv parts per trillion (10
---12
), by volume . . . . . . . . . . .
psu practical salinity unit, [(1 psu=0.1%) and ranges from 32 to 37 psu] . . . . . . . . . . . .
R
E
Earth radius = 6378.140 km (mean equatorial radius) . . . . . . . . . . . .
R
sun
Radius of sun ~700,000 km . . . . . . . . . . .
rad radian --- a unit of plane angular measurement equal to the angle at the . . . . . . . . . . . .
center of a circle subtended by an arc equal in length to the radius
rad/s radian per second (angular velocity) . . . . . . . . . . .
rad In the context of radiation shielding, the term rad (or Rad) is also . . . . . . . . . . . .
used for energy accumulated in matter (dosimetry for the energy ab-
sorbedper unit mass of material, usually by ionizationprocesses). Arad
is the amount of particle radiation that deposits 10
---2
J/kg of target ma-
terial. Besides the rad is the Gray. 1 rad = 1/100 Gray. Note: A
Gray is the radiationabsorbeddoseunit of SI (SystemeInternationale).
1 Gray = 1 J/kg (=100 rad). Or 10 Gray = 1000 rad =1krad.
6154)
See
also Glossary.
Note: The SI system replaced the rad with the unit Gray (Gy).
However, the use of the terms rad, krad, Mrad remains in the industry
vocabulary.
rms root mean square . . . . . . . . . . . .
rpm revolutions per minute . . . . . . . . . . . .
rps revolutions per second . . . . . . . . . . . .
S siemens --- unit of electrical conductance; 1 S = 1 A/V [named after . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Werner von Siemens (1816---1892), German electrical engineer]
s second. The international definition of the second (in the International . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Systemof Units, or SI) is basedon the cesiumatom, cesiumremains the
ruler for official timekeeping.
sr steradian --- a unit of measure of solid angles expressed as the solid . . . . . . . . . . . . .
angle subtended at the center of a sphere by the portion of the surface
whose area is equal to the square of the radius of the sphere
Sv Sievert [named after the Swedish physicist Rolf Sievert (1898---1966)]. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiation dose measurement. The sievert is a unit used to derive a
quantity called equivalent dose. This relates the absorbed dose in hu-
man tissue to the effective biological damage of the radiation. Not all
radiation has the same biological effect, even for the same amount of
absorbed dose. On Earth, humans receive an annual average dose of
about 2 mSv from background radiation. Astronauts, floating in LEO
outside ISS, are exposed to about 54 mSv per year.
T Tera (10
12
) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
TB TeraByte (10
12
Byte) . . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6154) Typical CMOS devices can tolerate 1--- 10 krad/year. Dose rates for a silicon target are usually stated in g/cm
2
or
inthickness of aluminumshielding for a givenorbit. For a sun--- synchronous orbit, about 0.8 g/cm
2
(or 4 mmsilicon
thickness) is needed for a 1--- year lifetime, and about 3 g/cm
2
(13 mm silicon) for a 10 year lifetime.
3453
TECU Total Electron Content Unit. 1 TECU = 10
16
electrons/m
2
. . . . . . . . .
tesla (T) SI unit of magnetic flux density. 1 T = 1 Wb/m
2
which corresponds to . . . . . . . .
10
4
gauss [named after Nikola Tesla (1856---1943), Croatian---born
American inventor]
THz Terahertz (10
12
hertz) . . . . . . . . . . .
V volt --- unit of electrical potential [named after Alessandro Volta . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1745--- 1827), Italian physicist]
W watt --- unit of power; 1 W = 1 J/s [named after James Watt . . . . . . . . . . . . .
(1736---1819), a Scottish mechanical engineer and inventor]
Wb weber --- unit of magnetic flux [namedafter Ernst Weber (1901---), Aus- . . . . . . . . . . . .
trian---born US engineer
Wh watt hour (work or energy) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ws watt second (work or energy) . . . . . . . . . . . .
General conventions of unit representations:
The symbol mis usedwithvarious meanings dependingonits positionandoccurrence ina
unit. In single---digit instances, the symbol mstands simply for meter. This is alsothe case in
double symbol instances, when m is in last position, like in Nm (newtonmeter), nm (nano-
meter), or mm(millimeter). Whenmis used indouble---digit symbols in first place, like mm
(millimeter), ml (milliliter), ms (millisecond), mN (millinewton), etc., then the first small
m is always used in a diminutive sense referring to milli (10
---3
).
The termsmall k stands for kilo (10
3
) as in km(kilometer), kg (kilogram), kW(kilowatt),
or kbit (kilobit). The capital letter K, onthe other hand, has the meaning of Kelvin, refer-
ring to a degree temperature on the absolute temperature scale. Also, a capital letter in
front of a unit is used in the context of M (mega = 10
6
) or G (giga = 10
9)
like GPa (Giga
Pascal) or GHz (Giga Hz).
All units in context with physical values should generally be stated in the singular formand
not in plural form. For instance: the length of 155 cm(and not: 155 cms); the data rate of 9.6
kbit/s; the data storage capacity of 55 Gbit; the thrust of 5.5 N, (and not 5.5 Ns, the latter
term means in effect Newton seconds); etc.
The basic SI units come in all sizes. Since the SI systemis built upon the base 10, the differ-
ent sizes are base 10 multiples of the basic units as illustrated in Table 942. --- The designa-
tions M (Mega), G (Giga), T (Tera), or m (micro), n(nano), p (pico), etc., in combinations
with other units, follow the same logic as outlined above and in Table 942.
Quantity Unit name Unit symbol
Length meter m
Mass kilogram kg
Time second s
Electric current ampere A
Thermodynamic temperature kelvin K
Luminous intensity candela cd
Amount of substance mole mol
Table 941: Symbols for the seven basic units in the SI system
3454
Prefix Symbol Multiplication factor Examples
Exa E 10
18
= 1,000,000,000,000,000,000
Peta P 10
15
= 1,000,000,000,000,000
Tera T 10
12
= 1,000,000,000,000 TByte
Giga G 10
9
= 1,000,000,000 GHz, GByte,
Mega M 10
6
= 1,000,000 MHz, Mbit/s,
kilo k 10
3
= 1,000 km (kilometer), kg (kilogram),
hecto h 10
2
= 100 hl (hectoliter), ha (hectare)
deca da 10
1
= 10
10
0
= 1
deci d 10
---1
= 0.1 dg (decigram), dl (deciliter)
centi c 10
---2
= 0.01 cm (centimeter), cl (centiliter)
milli m 10
---3
= 0.001 mm (millimeter), ml (milliliter)
micro m 10
---6
= 0.000001 mm (micrometer), mg (microgram)
nano n 10
---9
= 0.000000001 nm (nanometer), ns (nanosecond)
pico p 10
---12
= 0.000000000001 ps (picosecond), pf (picofarad)
femto f 10
---15
= 0.000000000000001 fs (femtosecond)
atto a 10
---18
= 0.000000000000000001
Table 942: Commonly used prefixes of SI multiples and sub--- multiples
Quantity Unit name Unit symbol (derivation)
Force newton N (kgms
---2
)
Energy joule J (Nm) or (Ws) or (kgm
2
s
2
)
Energy kilowatt hour kWh (3.6 10
6
J)
Energy electron volt eV (1.6 10
---19
J)
Power watt W (Js
---1
) or (kgm
2
s
---3
)
Frequency hertz Hz (s
---1
)
Electrical potential volt V (JC
---1
) or (WA
---1
)
Electrical charge coulomb C (As)
Electrical resistance ohm W (V A
---1
)
Electrical conductance siemens S (A V
---1
)
Electrical capacitance farad F (C V
---1
) or (A s V
---1
)
Magnetic inductance henry H (Wb A
---1
) or (V s A
---1
)
Magnetic flux weber Wb (Vs)
Magnetic flux density tesla T (Wb m
---2
)
Area square meter m
2
Volume cubic meter m
3
Volume liter L (10
---3
m
3
)
Velocity (speed) meter per second ms
---1
Temperature degree Celsius C
Pressure pascal Pa (Nm
---2
) or (kg m
---1
s
---2
)
Pressure standard atmosphere atm (1.01325 10
5
Pa)
Torque (force x distance) Nm (newton meter)
Electric field strength V m
---1
(volt per meter)
Magnetic field strength A m
---1
(ampere per meter)
Plane angle (arc length) degree
arcmin (minute)
arcsec (second)
1 = (/180) rad
1 = (1/60)
1 = (1/60)
Table 943: Derived units commonly used in science and engineering
6155)
Numbers
3DMA Three---Dimensional Microgravity Accelerometer (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6155) R. A. Nelson, Guide for Metric Practice, Physics Today, Supplement to August 1997 issue, pp. 13--- 14
3455
A
AAAS American Association for the Advancement of Science (Washington . . . . . . . . .
DC)
AC ngstrm Aerospace Corporation, Uppsala, Sweden (since 2005), . . . . . . . . . . .
AC is a spin---off company of Uppsala University research depart-
ment ngstrmSpace Technology Centre (STC). In November 2008,
the company changed name to AC Microtec.
AAE Austrian Aerospace GmbH, Vienna, Austria (a subsidiary of Saab Er- . . . . . . . . . . .
icsson Space, Sweden)
AAOE Airborne Antarctic Ozone Experiment (1987) . . . . . . . . .
AAPPS Association of Asia Pacific Physical Societies (Bulletin, online journal) . . . . . . . . .
AARGOS A340 Atmospheric Research Global Observation System (MOZAIC) . . . . . .
AARI Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (St. Petersburg, Russia) . . . . . . . . . .
AARS Asian Association on Remote Sensing . . . . . . . . .
AAS Alcatel Alenia Space (French / Italian company as of July 1, 2005). Al- . . . . . . . . . . .
catel Alenia Space has 11 industrial sites in 4 European countries
(France, Italy, Spain and Belgium)
AAS---E Alcatel Alenia Space Espana . . . . . . . .
AAS---F Alcatel Alenia Space France, --- --- --- Note: As of April 10, 2007, the EC . . . . . . . .
approved the transfer to Thales of Alcatel ---Lucents shareholdings in
the two space sector joint venture companies Alcatel Alenia Space and
Telespazio. Hence, Alcatel Alenia Space was renamed to Thales Ale-
nia Space
AAS---I Alcatel Alenia Space Italia . . . . . . . . .
AAS American Astronomical Society . . . . . . . . . . .
AASE Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Expedition (see campaign survey) . . . . . . . . . .
AAT Automatic Aerial Triangulation (image location technique). The me- . . . . . . . . . . .
thod permits automatic tie point extraction using image---matching
techniques to automate the point transfer and the point mensuration
procedures. At the start of the 21st century the AAT solution has
reached the accuracy level of a conventional aerial triangulation.
ABI Advanced Baseline Imager (GOES---R instrument in study/planning . . . . . . . . . . .
phase by NOAA and NASA)
ABLE Atmospheric Boundary Layer Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
ABYSS Altimetric Bathymetry from Surface Slopes (a proposed altimetry mis- . . . . . . . . .
sion of JHU/APL)
AC Alternating Current . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACC Anthropogenic Climate Change (CLIVAR subprogram) . . . . . . . . . . .
ACCESS Assembly Concept for Construction of Erectable Space Structure . . . . . . .
(Shuttle)
ACE Advanced Composition Explorer (NASA, APL, etc., see K.1) . . . . . . . . . . .
ACE---1, ---2 Aerosol Characterization Experiment (campaigns) . . . .
ACE Agencia Chilena del Espacio (Chilean Space Agency), Santiago, Chile . . . . . . . . . . .
(created in 2001, modified on Dec. 29, 2008)
ACE Atmosphere Climate Experiment (an ESA mission, A.1) . . . . . . . . . . .
ACES Acoustic Containerless Experiment System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
ACORN Airborne Composition Observations in the Region of the North---At- . . . . . . .
lantic---Corridor (P.41.2)
ACRS Asian Conference on Remote Sensing . . . . . . . . . .
ACRES Australian Centre for Remote Sensing (Belconnen, Australia) . . . . . . . .
ACSYS Arctic Climate System Study (WCRP program) . . . . . . . .
ACT Applied Coherent Technology, Herndon VA (commercial provider of . . . . . . . . . . .
remote sensing products, operator of satellites, etc.)
ACTS Advanced Communications Technology Satellite in GEO (NASA, . . . . . . . . . .
Launch: Sept. 1993 by Shuttle Discovery, STS---51 (Sept.12---22, 1993).
A/D Analog/Digital converter (also written as ADC) . . . . . . . . . . .
3456
ADA Antarctic Data Acquisition [a partnership project of EUMETSAT, . . . . . . . . . .
NOAA, NSF and NASA at the MGS (McMurdo Ground Station) in
Antarctica]. MetOp---Aof EUMETSATis the firstpolar---orbiting met-
eorological satellite using the ADA services since June 2011 to reduce
data latency.
ADAM Advanced Data Acquisition and Messaging System [ a DCS (Data . . . . . . . . .
Collection System) flown on FedSat---1 (Australia) and STSat---1 (Ko-
rea)
ADC Analog Digital Converter . . . . . . . . . .
ADCP Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers [(U. of Florida, Tokai University, . . . . . . . . .
Hiroshima University, Kyushu University, Japan, and CSIRO), subsur-
face upward---looking moorings]
ADEN ALOS Data European Node [an ESA initiative involving a number of . . . . . . . . .
distributed acquisition facilities capable of receiving ALOS data (SAR
and optical) for European users: a) Toulouse (France) with upgraded
X---band stations, b) DLR Neustrelitz (Germany) and Libreville (Ga-
bon), c) TSSTromsoe (Norway) andSSCSturup(Sweden) ASI Mataira
(Italy) and Maspalomas (Spain)]
ADEOS Advanced Earth Observation Satellite (NASDA, D.1, D.2) . . . . . . . .
ADM Atmospheric Dynamics Mission (ESA Earth Explorer Core Mission) . . . . . . . . . .
ADPCM Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation (a lossy data compres- . . . . . . .
sion technique)
ADR Active space Debris Remediation . . . . . . . . . .
ADS Aerobrake Deorbiting System (a technique to deorbit satellites) . . . . . . . . . . .
ADS---B Automatic Dependent Surveillance---Broadcast [an FAA system . . . . . . . .
installed in aircraft (first prototypes as of 2000). When coupled with
GPS, an aircrafts ADS---Bunit can continuously broadcast its identifi-
cation, position, altitude, direction, speed, rate of climb or descend,
etc.] ADS---B is a key technology to free flight.
ADSF Automated Directional Solidification Furnace (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
ADSL Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (communications) . . . . . . . . . .
ADV CGBA Advanced Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (Shuttle) . . . .
ADV XDT Advanced X---Ray Detector (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
AEAP Atmospheric Effects Aircraft Program (NASA) . . . . . . . . .
AEB Agencia Espacial Brasileira --- Brazilian Space Agency, Brasilia, Brazil . . . . . . . . . . .
(since 1994)
AEHF Advanced EHF (Extremely---High Frequency) for RF communica- . . . . . . . . .
tions, also a communication satellite program of the USAF. The first
spacecraft, AEHF---1, was launched on Aug. 14, 2010. AEHF---2 was
launched on May 4, 2012. The AEHF system is the successor to the
five---satellite Milstar constellation to provide significantly improved
global, highly secure, protected, survivable communications.
6156)
AEM Agencia Espacial Mexicana (Mexican Space Agency, establish in2010) . . . . . . . . . .
AEM---1 Applications Explorers Mission---1 (see HCMM A.21) . . . . . . . .
AEM---2 Applications Explorers Mission---2 (A.5) . . . . . . . .
AERCam/Sprint Autonomous Extravehicular Activity Robotic Camera Sprint [Shuttle .
free---flying camera, first flown on STS---87 (Nov. 19 --- Dec. 5, 1997)]
AEROCE Atmospheric/Ocean Chemistry Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
Aerospace Corp. The Aerospace Corporation (since 1960), a US private nonprofit re- .
search and development center with HQs in El Segundo, CA. Aero-
space operates a Federally Funded Research and Development Center
(FFRDC) for the Department of Defense (DoD). The primary custom-
er is the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) of the US Air Force
Materiel Command. The Aerospace Corporation provides engineering
_____________________
6156) ULALaunches Advanced Extremely High Frequency--- 2 Satellite to Orbit for the U.S. Air Force, Sapce Travel,
May 07, 2012, URL: http://www.space--- travel.com/reports/ULA_Launches_Advanced_Extremely
_High_Frequency_2_Satellite_to_Orbit_for_the_U_S__Air_Force_999.html
3457
services and space technology expertise to DoD space programs and
other US government agencies. Other company locations are in the
Washington DC area, Colorado Springs, CO, Albuquerque, NM, Sun-
nyvale CA, VAFB, CA, and at KSC (Kennedy Space Center), FLA.
Aerospatiale AFrench aerospace conglomerate with38,000 employees, HQinParis. . . . .
Builder of the main stages of Ariane 4 and 5. Manufacturer of satellites
and sensors. Three major divisions: Aircraft, Helicopters, and Space &
Defense. Spacecraft platforms: Spacebus series.
AES Advanced Encryption Standard . . . . . . . . . . .
AES Atmospheric Environment Service (of Environment Canada) . . . . . . . . . . .
AESA Active Electronically Scanned Array (a new radar antenna technology . . . . . . . . . .
for rapid target detection and mapping)
AESA Atmospheric Effects of Stratospheric Aircraft (NASA) . . . . . . . . . .
AF US Air Force . . . . . . . . . . . .
AFB Air Force Base (US Air Force) . . . . . . . . . . .
AFC Affiliated Data Center (these are institutional facilities that are affili- . . . . . . . . . . .
ated with EOSDIS, in particular NOAA facilities are AFCs)
AFE American Flight Echocardiograph (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
AFIT Air Force Institute of Technology (a college at the Wright---Patterson . . . . . . . . . .
Air Force Base, Ohio)
AFGL Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (Hanscom AFB, Bedford, MA, . . . . . . . . .
USA) Note: in 1998 AGFL was renamed to Hanscom Research Site
AFDX Avionics Full DupleXSwitched Ethernet (based on IEEE802.3 Ether- . . . . . . . . .
net technology). AFDX is a data network for safety---critical applica-
tions that utilizes dedicated bandwidth while providing deterministic
Quality of Service (QoS).
AFP---675 Air Force Program 675 (Shuttle payload) . . . . . .
AFNOR Association francaise de normalization (French standards institute) . . . . . . . .
AFOSR Air Force Office of Scientific Research(anAFRLdirectorate andman- . . . . . . . .
ager of basic research)
AFRL Air Force Research Laboratory (USA). The nine AFRL sites are lo- . . . . . . . . .
cated at: Wright Laboratory, Wright---Patterson AFB, Ohio (AFRL
HQs, directorates of: Air Vehicles, Propulsion, Directed Energy, and
Materials & Manufacturing); Hanscom AFB, MA (Sensors director-
ate); Phillips Research Site, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM (Space
Vehicles directorate); Rome Laboratory, Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY; Ed-
wards AFB, Edwards, CA; Brooks AFB, TX; Eglin AFB, FL; Tyndall
AFB, FL; Bolling AFB (AFOSR directorate), Washington DC.
AFS Atomic Frequency Standard [AFS is used in atomic clocks flown on . . . . . . . . . . .
radionavigation systems (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, etc.) as well as in
other spaceborne missions]. There are Rubidium (Rb) AFS, Cesium
(Cs) AFS, Passive Hydrogen Maser (PHM) AFS, etc.
AFSCN Air Force Satellite Control Network (USA) . . . . . . . .
AFSK Amplitude Frequency Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . .
AFOSR Air Force Office of Scientific Research (part of AFRL, DoD, USA, . . . . . . . .
AFOSR manages the Air Forces investment in basic research)
AFSPC Air Force Space Command (Peterson AFB, CO, USA) . . . . . . . . .
AFWA Air Force Weather Agency (USAF) at Offutt Air Force Base (OAFB), . . . . . . . . .
Bellevue, Nebraska, USA (south of Omaha). AFWA analyses large
amounts of weather data and forecasts global cloud cover.
AGARD Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development. AGARD . . . . . . .
is a NATO agency (with HQ in Neuilly---sur Seine, France), formed in
1954, with the objective to enhance the exchange of aerospace technol-
ogy within NATO.
AGASP Arctic Gas and Aerosols Sampling Project (airborne campaign) . . . . . . . .
AGC Antenna Gain Control . . . . . . . . . .
3458
AGGA Advanced GPS/GLONASS ASIC (ESA/ESTEC development). As of . . . . . . . . .
the end of 2000 the AGGA---2 chip set is available to European indus-
try, it is manufactured by Atmel of Nantes, France (Atmel product code
T7905E). It is used in GRAS, in the LAGRANGE GNSS receiver of
Laben SpA, Italy, and in the RIMS stations of the EGNOS program.
AGGA---2 supports such EO applications as RO (Radio Occultation)
and POD (Precise Orbit Determination).
With the new GNSS signal availability in the middle of next decade
(~2015), the AGGA---4 component will enable the digital processing
of all the public signals in modernized GPS, Galileo and possibly
Beidou/Compass and Glonass too.
AGILE Astro---rivelatore Gamma ad Immagini LEggero (Gamma---ray . . . . . . . .
Astronomical Low---Mass Detector), an approved ASI mission with a
planned launch in 2006
AGL Above Ground Level (usually the altitude of aircraft) . . . . . . . . . . .
AGN Active Galactic Nuclei . . . . . . . . . .
AGU American Geophysical Union (a society with over 35,000 members in . . . . . . . . . .
over 115 countries. The objective is to advance progress in the Earth,
atmospheric, oceanic, hydrologic, and space and planetary sciences.)
AHRPT Advanced High Resolution Picture Transmission (a transmission stan- . . . . . . . .
dard of WMO for polar orbiting meteorological satellites)
AIAA American Institute of Astronautics and Aeronautics (Reston, VA) . . . . . . . . . .
AIDAA Associazione Italiana Di Aeronautica e Astronautica (Rome, Italy) . . . . . . . .
AIDJEX Arctic Ice Dynamics Joint Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
AIM AEGInfrarot Module GmbH, Heilbronn, Germany (since 1976, devel- . . . . . . . . . . .
oper and manufacturer of infrared devices such as QWIPs since 1996).
AIMis a subsidiary of BGT, a company of Diehls Defence/Avionics Di-
vision, and of EHG, a company of DaimlerChrysler AG.
AIMO Asymmetric Inverted Mode Operation [AIMO is a standard CCD but . . . . . . . . .
with extra implants under one set of electrodes. With the right clocking
it cangive between20---100 times less dark current (equivalent toanex-
tra 15 to 30C of cooling)]
Airbus Industrie A consortium of European aerospace companies, founded in 1970. .
(partners are: Aerospatiale of France, DASAAirbus of Germany, Brit-
ish Aerospace, and Spains CASA). Italys Alenia, Fokker of the Neth-
erlands, and Belairbus in Belgium are associate members who partici-
pate inselectedprograms. Some 32,000 people work directly for Airbus
Industrie within the partner companies. Airbus Industrie is headquar-
tered near Toulouse, France. Builder of civil aircraft (Airbus).
AIRS Autonomous Information Reception Station (see Meteor---3M series) . . . . . . . . . .
AIRSS Alternative Infrared Satellite System (DoD program intended to pro- . . . . . . . . .
vide strategic and tactical missile warning for the U.S. in the middle of
the next decade)
AIP American Institute of Physics . . . . . . . . . . . .
AIP Astrophysikalisches Institut Potsdam (Germany) . . . . . . . . . . . .
AIS Automatic Identification System [IMO (International Maritime Orga- . . . . . . . . . . . .
nization) mandatory systemin shipping since July 2002 --- an automatic
electronic reporting device i.e., a transponder fitted to a ship and oper-
ating in the VHF maritime band]
AIT Assembly, Integration and Test (of a spacecraft, etc. ) . . . . . . . . . . .
AIV Assembly, Integration and Verification (tasks, usually in connection . . . . . . . . . . .
with a S/C)
aka also known as, used to introduce pseudonyms, aliases, nicknames, . . . . . . . . . . . .
working names, legalized names, pen names, maiden names, etc.
AKR Auroral Kilometric Radiation (ionospheric phenomenon) . . . . . . . . . .
ALACE Autonomous Lagrangian Circulation Explorer (free---floating ocean . . . . . . . .
buoys designed to seek a pre---programmed depth; they drift with the
3459
ocean currents of that depth, and pop up periodically to report their
position to a satellite), see also PALACE
ALE/GAGE Atmospheric Lifetime Experiment/Global Atmospheric Gas Experi- . . . .
ment (campaign)
Alenia Spazio Alenia Aerospazio S.p.A. is a company of the Finemeccanica IRI . . .
group, an Italian consortiumin aerospace, defense, energy, transporta-
tion and automation markets. Partner in many space programs (2500
employees), builder of COSMO---SkyMed. Subsidiaries: Laben S.p.A.
(Laboratori Elettronici Nucleari) in Vimodrone (Milano, Italy) since
1958; SSI (Space Software Italia S.p.A. in Taranto, Italy; QSW (Quad-
rics Supercomputer World Ltd.) in Rome, Italy; HCSA(Hellenic Com-
pany for Space Applications S.A.) in Paradisos Amarousiou, Italy; Eu-
roSkyWay in Rome, Italy
ALEXIS Array of Low Energy X---Ray Imaging Sensors (LANL, K.3) . . . . . . .
ALISSA lAtmosphere par LIdar Sur SAliout (the Frenchsensor was at first pro- . . . . . . . .
posed by CNES for a Salyut flight)
AlGaN Aluminum gallium nitride is a semiconductor material which is also . . . . . . . . .
used to manufacture light---emitting diodes operating in the blue to ul-
traviolet region (down to 250 nm)
ALMA Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (of ESO) in Chile loc- . . . . . . . . .
ated at an altitude of 5000 m. Actually, the ALMA buildup and opera-
tion represents an international partnership of Europe, North America
East AsiaandtheRepublic of Chile as host country. --- Whencompleted
in 2013, ALMA will consist of 66 telescopes (forming a sparse array of
antennas) of 12 mand 7 min diameter --- that when electronically com-
bined simulate a telescope diameter of up to 15 km. On Nov. 17, 2009,
ALMA made its first measurements using just two of the 66 antennas
that will comprise the array. As of January 4, 2010, three antennas are
working in unison. In October 2011, ALMA has officially opened for
astronomers. About a third of ALMAs 66 radio antennas are installed.
6157)
--- ALMAis the largest and most ambitious ground---based obser-
vatory ever created with full service provision expected in 2013.
6158)
6159)
_____________________
6157) ALMA Opens Its Eyes, Space Daily, Oct. 4, 2011, URL: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/ALMA_Opens
_Its_Eyes_999.html
6158) http://www.almaobservatory.org/
6159) GianpietroMarchiori, Francesco Rampini, The EuropeanALMAProject: Design, Manufacturing, Commission-
ing and Test Activities, Proceedings of the 32nd ESA Antenna Workshop on Antennas for Space Applications,
Noordwijk, The Netherlands, Oct. 5--- 8, 2010, URL: http://utopia.duth.gr/~iaitidis/ESA%20confer-
ence%202010/Papers/session%2019/EIE%20_THE%20EUROPEAN%20ALMA%20PROJECT.pdf
3460
Figure 1475: Photo of the partially constructed ALMA observatory in 2011 (image credit: NRAO, NSF)
ALMAZ ALMAZ = rough diamond (Earth observation series, Russia), D.4 . . . . . . .
ALOHA One of several communication access methods . . . . . . .
ALOHA Airborne Lidar and Observations of the Hawaiian Airglow(campaign) . . . . . . .
ALOS Advanced Land Observing Satellite (D.3) . . . . . . . . .
ALPEX Alpine Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
ALR Agentur fr Luft--- und Raumfahrt, Wien, Austria (Aeronautics and . . . . . . . . . .
Space Agency of Austria) since 2005, formerly ASA (since 1972)
AM Amplitude Modulation (modulation technique of the main carrier) . . . . . . . . . . . .
AM AnteMeridiem(UStime notationdesignating morninghours, todistin- . . . . . . . . . . . .
guish from PM)
AM0 Air---mass---zero (calibration measure of solar cells, measurement at . . . . . . . . . . .
top of atmosphere). See also Glossary for Air---mass---zero.
AMBIACE Amazon Biogeochemistry and Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment . . . . .
(campaign)
AMEX Australian Monsoon Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
AMISR Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar. AMISR is coordinated . . . . . . . .
by SRI International, Menlo Park, CA. The AMISR facility system es-
tablishes a new state---of---the---art for ISR(Incoherent Scatter Radar)
designby implementing fully electronic beamsteering witha phasedar-
ray of 4096 UHF transceivers.
AMM Advanced Microsatellite Mission (an ESAspacecraft platformdevelo- . . . . . . . . . .
ped by Astrium Ltd.)
AMM Antarctic Mapping Mission (Radarsat) . . . . . . . . . .
AMMOS Advanced Multi ---Mission Operations Systems (a NASA/JPL program . . . . . . .
in 2012 to revitalize its ground system and services)
AMOLED Active Matrix Organic Light---Emitting Diode (a 3---D OLED display . . . . . .
technology). An AMOLED display consists of OLED pixels that have
been deposited or integrated onto a thin film transistor (TFT) array to
form a matrix of pixels that illuminate light upon electrical activation.
AMOLEDs consume significantly less power than OLEDs.
3461
AMOS Afro---Mediterranean Orbital System. A family of commercial Israeli . . . . . . . . .
geosynchronous telecommunications vehicles developed, launched
and controlled by IAI. AMOS---1 was launched on May 16, 1996
(launch mass of 961 kg, built by Alcatel Espace of France and Daim-
ler---Benz Aerospace of Germany). AMOS---2 (1370 kg mass) was
launched on Dec. 27, 2003 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. AMOS---3
(1300 kg mass) was launched from Baikonur on April 28, 2008. The
AMOS series S/C are the property of Spacecom.
AMOS Air Force Maui Optical Station(Shuttle experiment). AMOS is located . . . . . . . . .
at the summit of Haleakala, on the island of Maui, Hawaii. The Air
Force experiment is using the Shuttleorbiter as a calibrationtarget for a
ground---based experiment (research for electro---optical sensors)
AMPTE Active Magnetosphere Particle Tracer Explorers (cooperative mission . . . . . . . .
of US/ NASA, Germany and UK, K.4)
AMR Anisotropic Magneto---Resistance. AMR is the property of a material . . . . . . . . . .
in which a dependence of electrical resistance on the angle betweenthe
direction of electrical current and orientation of magnetic field is ob-
served.
AMS Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (Shuttle payload) AMS was first flown . . . . . . . . . . .
onSTS---91 (June 2 --- 12, 1998). It is ananti ---matter demonstration, an
experiment with international cooperation from: USA, China, Finland,
Germany Italy, and Switzerland
AMS American Meteorological Society . . . . . . . . . . .
AMSAR Airborne Multifunction Solid---State Active Array Radar (European . . . . . . . .
Fighter Radar Program) under development for operation in 2015
AMSAT The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (worldwide groups of Ama- . . . . . . . .
teur Radio Operators (volunteers, normally organized by country),
building, launching and communicating with each other through non---
commercial amateur satellites, since 1969, also the name of satellites)
AMSTAP Aerospace Microsystems Technology Applications Partnership (a UK . . . . . . .
initiative started in 2000)
AMTEC Alkali Metal Thermal ---to---Electric Converter (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . .
AMV Atmospheric Motion Vector (a meteorological data product) . . . . . . . . . .
ANARS Autonomous Navigation and Attitude Reference System (Shuttle pay- . . . . . . . .
load)
ANGKASA National Space Agency of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur (since 2002) . . . . .
ANL Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne, IL, USA, a DOE facility, op- . . . . . . . . . . .
erated by the University of Chicago)
ANSI American National Standards Institute . . . . . . . . . .
ANSTO Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization . . . . . . . .
Antarctic Dome C The Antarctic Dome Csite is located in the High Polar Plateau Region
at 75 06S, 123 21E with a mean elevation of 3.2 km above sea level.
The site has the following characteristics that make it very suitable for ra-
diometric calibration and validation of satellite sensors: the surface is flat
and covered with uniformly distributed, permanent snow; temperat-
ures are extremely cold and stable, except for seasonal variability; skies
are clear most of the time, with more than 75%of days being cloudfree;
atmosphere above the site has low water vapor and aerosol loading,
thus atmospheric effects are small.
Antrix Corp. Ltd Bangalore, India(the commercial marketing armof ISRO, Antrix is the .
distributor of IRS data, etc.)
ANTS Autonomous Nano---Technology Swarm (a proposed mission architec- . . . . . . . . . .
ture for scalable, robust, highly distributed systems at NASA)
ANU Australian National University (Canberra, Australia) . . . . . . . . . .
AO Announcement of Opportunity (usually for asensor ona particular mis- . . . . . . . . . . . .
sion)
AOCS Attitude and Orbit Control System . . . . . . . . .
AOET Atomic Oxygen Exposure Tray (Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . . .
3462
AOGS Asia Oceania Geosciences Society (Singapore) . . . . . . . . .
AOS Acousto---Optical Spectrometer . . . . . . . . . . .
AOT Aerosol Optical Thickness . . . . . . . . . . .
AOTF Acousto---Optic Tunable Filter (an imaging dispersion technique) . . . . . . . . .
APARE Asia/North Pacific Regional Study (campaign) . . . . . . . .
APCF Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility (Shuttle, see also PCF) . . . . . . . . . .
APCG Advanced Protein Crystal Growth (Shuttle, see also PCG) . . . . . . . . .
APC---MCSTA Asia---Pacific Conference on Multilateral Cooperation in Space Tech- . .
nology and Applications [sponsored by CNSA (China National Space
Administration) and organized by Chinese Society for Astronautics]
APD Avalanche Photodiode (detector type) . . . . . . . . . . .
APDA Arctic Precipitation Data Archive . . . . . . . . .
APE Airborne Polar Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
APE Auroral Photography Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
APEX Active Plasma Experiment (Intercosmos, K.5) . . . . . . . . .
APEX Atacama Pathfinder EXperiment (of ESO --- the European Southern . . . . . . . . .
Observatory in the Atacama desert of Chile)
APFO Aerial Photography Field Office (Salt Lake City, UT, USA) . . . . . . . . .
APL Applied Physics Laboratory, since 1942, a facility of Johns Hopkins . . . . . . . . . . .
University (JHU), in Laurel, MD, USA
APM Ascent Particle Monitor (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
APRS Automatic Packet Reporting/Position System (a graphical method, . . . . . . . . . .
used by the Amateur Radio community,of broadcasting positioning in-
formation in real time from packet radio---equipped stations)
APRSAF Asia Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (since 1993 --- to enhance . . . . . . .
the development of each countrys space program and to exchange
views toward the future cooperation in space activities in the Asia---Pa-
cific region). APRSAFis an annual meeting initiated jointly by MEXT/
JAXA of Japan, and a co---host country. Examples:
6160)
APRSAF---11 took place Nov. 3---5, 2004, Canberra, Australia
APRSAF---12 took place Oct. 11---13, 2005, Kitakyushu, Japan
APRSAF---13 took place in Dec. 2006 in Jakarta, Indonesia
APRSAF---14 took place in Nov. 2007 in Bangalore, India
APRSAF---15 took place in Dec. 2008 in Hanoi, Vietnam
APRSAF---16 , took place in January 2010, Bangkok, Thailand
APRSAF---17, took place Nov. 23---26, 2010, Melbourne, Australia
APRSAF---18, took place December 6---9, 2011, Singapore
APS Active Pixel Sensor . . . . . . . . . . .
APSC Asia Pacific Space Center, locatedonAustralias Christmas Island. The . . . . . . . . . .
Indian Ocean island is located about 1560 km northwest of Australia,
close tothe equator. Rosaviakosmos of Russiais expectedtolaunchsat-
ellites from the island starting in 2004 (new Aurora launch vehicle, an
upgrade version of the Soyuz launch vehicle).
APSCC Asia---Pacific Satellite CommunicationCouncil (since 1994) withaSec- . . . . . . . .
retariat in Korea.
APT Automatic Picture Transmission (one type of NOAA downlink trans- . . . . . . . . . . .
mission; APT transmits data fromtwo channels of the AVHRRat a re-
duced resolution of 4 km in the VHF frequency band (at 137.50 and
137.62 MHz)).
APV Autonomously Piloted Vehicle (Condor) . . . . . . . . . . .
A&R Automation and Robotics (technology) . . . . . . . . . .
AR Anthrorack (Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ARAT Avion de Recherche Atmosphrique et de Tldtection (Atmospheric . . . . . . . . .
Research and Remote Sensing Aircraft), ARAT is jointly operated by
_____________________
6160) Takaaki Iwasa, APRSAF --- Japanese International Cooperation, 5
th
session of COPUOS (Committee on the
Peaceful Uses of Outer Space),UNOOSA, Vienna, Austria, June 6--- 15, 2012, URL: http://www.oosa.unvi-
enna.org/pdf/pres/copuos2012/tech--- 01.pdf
3463
INSU---CNRS, CNES, DMN (French National Weather Center), and
IGN (Institut Gographique National). The aircraft is IGN property.
ARAT is a Fokker 27 MK pressurized twin turboprop aircraft (service
altitude =5800 m, cruising speed =350 km/h, flight endurance =5 hr;
on---boardcomputer systems: HP1000 A900, recordings onhigh---capa-
city digital video cassette, two Exabyte 2.5 GByte recorders) .
ARC Ames Research Center (NASAfacility at Moffett Field, CA, and at the . . . . . . . . . . .
Dryden Flight Research Facility in Edwards, CA, USA)
ARC Aggregation of Red Blood Cells (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
ArcGIS Aeronautical Reconnaissance Coverage Geographic Information Sys- . . . . . . . .
tem. ArcGIS is geographic information system(GIS) software for visu-
alizing, managing, creating, and analyzing geographic data. The
ArcGIS Desktop program has 3 different lincense options: ArcView,
ArcEditor and ArcInfo.
Archimedes I, II Coordinated European airborne campaigns in the North Sea region .
(start in 1983, Archimedes IIa took place in April 1988)
ARCO Solar Inc. Since 1979, a subsidiary of Atlantic Richfield Company, located in Ca-
marillo, CA. In February 1990, Siemens A.G. of Munich, Germany, ac-
quiredARCOSolar, theworlds largest photovoltaic company. It is now
Siemens Solar Industries.
ARCS AustrianResearchCenter Seibersdorf (since1956, withsites at Seibers- . . . . . . . . . .
dorf, Leoben, Ranshofen, Vienna, Graz, Dornbirn, Wiener---Neustadt,
and Budapest)
ARCSS Arctic Center of SystemScience (at NSIDCof U. of Colorado, Boulder, . . . . . . . . .
CO, USA)
ARESE ARM Enhanced Shortwave Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
ARGO Accurate Ranging systemfor Geodetic Observations (SLR programof . . . . . . . . .
Korea)
ARGO Array for Geostrophic Oceanography, a global array of buoys [an in- . . . . . . . . .
ternational ocean program, part of GCOS/GOOS and CLIVAR ---
eventually it will consist of an array of 3000 free---drifting (Lagrangian)
profiling floats, at various depths, that measure thetemperature andsa-
linity of the upper 2000 m of the ocean; start of deployment in 2000].
ARGOrepresents a global network of sea---going floats for a better un-
derstanding of the worlds oceans. Note: the acronymARGOwas aban-
doned several years ago, so the project is now Argo rather than
ARGO.
ARGOS Argos (CNES System) is a data collection and location system with a . . . . . . . .
space segment and a ground segment. ARGOS is operational on
NOAA polar---orbiting S/C. G.15.4, C.2
ARGOS Advanced Research and Global Observation Satellite (DoD, M.3) . . . . . . . .
ARIANESPACE A commercial launch service provider of Europe with HQ in France
(since 1980, first commercial operator of launchers in the world).
Twelve European countries participate in the Ariane program.
ARIES Australian Resource Information and Environment Satellite . . . . . . . . .
ARISS Amateur Radio on the ISS. The first ARISS equipment was carried to . . . . . . . . .
the ISSonSTS---106 (Space Shuttle Atlantis) inSept. 2000 andinstalled
by the Expedition 1 crew. The first amateur contacts were made by
Commander William Shepherd in mid---November 2000.
ARISTOTELES Applications and Research Involving Space Techniques Observing The .
Earths FieldfromLowEarthOrbiting Satellite (planned but cancelled
ESA Mission)
ARM Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (campaign program of DOE) . . . . . . . . . .
ARMCAS Arctic Radiation Measurements in Column Atmosphere---Surface Sys- . . . . . .
tem (campaign)
ARNS Aeronautical Radionavigation Service (GPS, GALILEO) . . . . . . . . .
ARTEMIS Advanced Relay and Technology Mission Satellite (ESA) . . . . . .
3464
ARTES Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems [ESA program . . . . . . . .
(since 1993) consisting of several elements: ARTES 1: Strategy,
ARTES 2: On---Board Processing, ARTES 3: Multimedia, ARTES 4:
Partnership, and ARTES 5: Technology, etc.]
ARPA Advanced Research Project Administration (US, agency of DoD, since . . . . . . . . .
1958, was renamed to DARPA)
ARQ Automatic---Repeat Request . . . . . . . . . .
ARRL American Radio Relay League (US national association for amateur . . . . . . . . .
radio)
ASA AmericanStandards Association(e.g. the original filmspeeds cameout . . . . . . . . . . .
of work by Kodak on the practical measurement of film speeds in the
1940s). The international ASA/BS/DIN standard is from 1960---71.
ASA Austrian Space Agency (Vienna, Austria, since 1972). Note: as of 2005, . . . . . . . . . . .
ASA was renamed and reorganized into FFG/ALR (see below).
ASAL Agence Spatiale Algrienne (Algerian Space Agency), Algiers, Algeria . . . . . . . . . .
(since 2002)
ASAP Adaptive Sensor Array Processing (MIT/LL) . . . . . . . . . .
ASAP Advanced Sensors Application Program (US Navy) . . . . . . . . . .
ASAP Airborne Science and Application Program (USGS, NASA) . . . . . . . . . .
ASAP Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads (ASAPprovides launch oppor- . . . . . . . . . .
tunities for microsatellites on a commercial basis, the ASAP---5 ring
structure can accommodate up to 8 microsatellites with a volume re-
striction of 60 cm x 60 cm x 80 cm)
ASC Advanced Stellar Compass (a star tracker of DTU --- Technical Univer- . . . . . . . . . . .
sity of Denmark)
ASCOT Atmospheric Studies in Complex Terrain (campaign) . . . . . . . .
ASCS Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
ASDAR Aircraft to Satellite Data Relay (wind observations are reported from . . . . . . . .
commercial aircraft at cruising altitude via meteorological satellite
communication links at 7 minute intervals)
ASEAN Associationof Southeast AsianNations. ASEANis made upof 10coun- . . . . . . . .
tries : Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philip-
pines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam --- lying 28 N to ---10.5 S and
from92 Eto 140 E, making up approximately 600 million people. The
ASEAN region is prone to large scale natural disasters such as
Earthquakes, Tsunami, Typhoons Volcanic Eruptions, Flooding etc.
that can lead to massive loss of life. The ASEAN region is very much
dependent on EO data contributions from the global EO community.
ASE Automatic Air---Sampling Equipment, see P.41.4 . . . . . . . . . . .
ASEM Assembly of Station by EVA Methods (Shuttle demonstration) . . . . . . . . .
ASES American Solar Energy Society . . . . . . . . . .
ASF Alaska SAR Facility in Fairbanks, Alaska (DAAC of NASA EOS Pro- . . . . . . . . . . .
gram. ASF is located at the Geophysical Institute of the University of
Alaska at Fairbanks. Position: 65N, 148W. ASFis ineffect a US---PAF
for ERS---1/2 data as well as for JERS---1 and RADARSAT data.)
ASHOE Airborne Southern Hemisphere Ozone Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
ASI Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (formerly PSN). ASI is the Italian Space . . . . . . . . . . . .
Agency, Rome (since 1988)
ASI/CGS ASI/Centro di Geodesia Guiseppe Colombo in Matera, Italy, for . . . . . . .
Space Geodesy, Remote Sensing and Space Robotics. CGS hosts the
I---PAF(ItalianProcessing andArchiving Facility), a multimissionfacil-
ity for archiving, processing and distributing remote sensing data.
ASI Alcatel Space Industries, France, since 1998 (ASI represents the merg- . . . . . . . . . . . .
er of four space hardware development divisions from Alcatel, Das-
sault, Thomson and Aerospatiale)
As of July 1, 2005, Alcatel of Paris and Finmeccanica (parent company
of Telespazio and Alenia Space) of Milano announced the creation of
two new joint ventures (companies) effective as of July 1, 2005: Alcatel
3465
Alenia Space and Telespazio Holding. --- Alcatel Alenia Space now
combines the activities of Alcatel Space and Alenia Spazio with HQ in
Cannes, France. It focuses on the design, development, and manufac-
turing of space systems, satellites, payloads, orbital infrastructures and
space transportation, instruments andassociated groundsystems for ci-
vilian and military applications. --- Telespazio Holding with HQ in
Rome, Italy, combines Telespazio with Alcatel Space Services and Op-
erations activities.
ASIC Application Specific Integrated Circuit . . . . . . . . . .
ASIM Application Specific Microinstrument . . . . . . . . . .
ASIM Appliqu Sensor Interface Module --- a hardware and software ele- . . . . . . . . . .
ment of the emerging SPA (Spacecraft Plug---and---Play Avionics)
standard. An ASIM functions as a bridge between a typical SPA inter-
face and a user module and delivers automatic support for useful ser-
vices including power management, synchronization, electronic data
sheet etc.
ASIT Applied Signal & Image Technology, (compression technology) Glen . . . . . . . . . .
Burnie, MD
ASM All ---Sky Monitor . . . . . . . . . . .
ASP Attitude Sensor Package (Shuttle payload of ESA) . . . . . . . . . . .
ASPRS American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (Bethes- . . . . . . . . .
da, MD, since 1934)
ASRI Asher Space Research Institute (of Technion Israel Institute of . . . . . . . . . .
Technology, Haifa, since 1986)
ASRI Australian Space Research Institute, Elizabeth, SA [ASRI, a non--- . . . . . . . . . .
profit organisation, came about in the early 1990s as the result of a
merger betweenthe AUSROCLaunch Vehicle Development Groupat
Monash University in Melbourne and the Australian Space Engineer-
ing Research Association (ASERA)]
ASTEX Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (airborne campaign at . . . . . . . .
the Azores in 1992)
ASTP Apollo---Soyuz Test Project (1975) . . . . . . . . . .
ASTRE Acclromtre Spatial Triaxial Electrostatique [an ESAaccelerometer . . . . . . . .
built by ONERAand part of ESAs MMA (Microgravity Measurement
Assembly) flown on Shuttle flights STS---83 and STS---94]
Astrium Astriumis the name of a newEuropeanspace company of EADSandof . . . . . . . .
BAESystems (UK), formally created in May 2000. Astriumis a merger
of Aerospatiale Matra of Paris, France, DASA of Munich Germany,
and Marconi Electronic Systems of Stanmore, UK. German Astrium
facilities are located at Friedrichshafen, Ottobrunn, Bremen, Lam-
poldhausen, Rostock and Trauen. The German Astrium company is
called Astrium GmbH. The French/British MMS (Matra Marconi
Space) facilities are located at Portsmouth and Stevenhage, UK, and at
Toulouse and Vlizy, France. The French company is referred to as As-
trium SAS, while the UK company is called Astrium Ltd.
Astrium GEO---Information Services Spot Image and Infoterra joinedforces withinAs-
trium Geo---Information Services to offer a consolidated product and
services portfolio under the Astrium brand. The merger took place in
May 2010. On January 1, 2011, a single operational management struc-
ture was implemented.
6161)
--- Commercial provider of geospatial data
fromsuchmissions as: SPOT---4, ---5, ---6, TerraSAR---X, TanDEM---X,
FormoSat---2, Pleiades, etc.
ASTRO Autonomous Space Transfer and Robotic Orbiter (DARPA concept . . . . . . . .
study as of 2002). The objective is to service military and commercial
_____________________
6161)Astrium fully integrates Spot Image and Infoterra into new GEO--- Information business division, Dec. 1, 2010,
URL: http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press_centre/astrium--- fully--- integrates--- spot--- image--- and--- infoterra--- in-
to--- new--- geo--- information.html
3466
satellites within a specified range of orbital inclinations and altitudes.
Another key component of the study is NEXTSat which is represen-
tative of a next---generation class of satellites designed tobe servicedby
the ASTRO. A demonstration launch of ASTRO is planned for 2004.
ASTRO---SPAS Astronomy Platform --- Shuttle Pallet Satellite . .
ASU Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) . . . . . . . . . . .
AT&T American Telephone&Telegraph company [AT&T was the largest . . . . . . . . .
phone company in the world (US monopoly) prior to its divestiture in
1984 (consequence of US government deregulation policy)]. The Bell
Laboratories (Bell Labs) were part of AT&T. A portion of the former
AT&Twas regroupedin1996 withthe founding of Lucent Technologies
Inc.
ACTD Antenna Coupled Terahertz Device (the emerging THz technology . . . . . . . . .
permits far---infrared detection of radiation at room temperature)
ATEx Advanced Tether Experiment (NRL) . . . . . . . . . .
ATEX Atlantic Tropospheric Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
ATI Along---Track Interferometry . . . . . . . . . . . .
ATK Alliant Techsystems Inc. with HQs in Minneapolis, MN, USA . . . . . . . . . .
ATLAS Atmospheric Laboratory for ApplicationandScience (NASAprogram, . . . . . . . . .
payload series on Shuttle), J.2
ATLAS Autonomous Temperature Line Acquisition System (NOAA/PMEL . . . . . . . .
mooring systemmeasuring surface wind, air temperature, SST, tensub-
surface temperatures and two subsurface pressures; all data are moni-
tored by ARGOS)
ATLID Atmospheric Lidar (Sensor), an ESA backscatter lidar . . . . . . . . .
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ITU---Tnetwork standardfor cell relay) . . . . . . . . . .
ATN Advanced TIROS---N Series (NOAA, launched from 1983 on) . . . . . . . . . . .
ATS Air Traffic Service (a communications service) . . . . . . . . . . .
ATS Application Technology Satellite (NASA GEO satellite series prior to . . . . . . . . . . .
GOES)
ATSB Astronautic Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd., Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . . . . . . . . . .
[Note: inthis official name the (M) stands for Malaysia, while Sdn. Bhd.
is the equivalent of Co. Ltd.]. ATSB is a space research and develop-
ment organization (operation of TiungSat---1, RazakSat).
ATTAS Advanced Technology Testing Aircraft System (VFW---614 of DLR) . . . . . . . . .
ATTREX Airborne Tropical TRopopause EXperiment. ATTREXis a NASAsci- . . . . . . .
ence camapain on Global Hawk over the Pacific Ocean fromthree loc-
ations in 2013 and 2014.
ATV Roton Atmospheric Test Vehicle (of Rotary Rocket Company, Red- . . . . . . . . . . .
wood City, CA). Roton ATV is a fully reusable, single---stage---to---or-
bit, commercial launch vehicle. Roton is powered by a rotary engine
burning liquid oxygen and jet fuel. ATV made its first successful flight
on July 23, 1999.
ATV Automated Transfer Vehicle (ESA cargo resupply vehicle for ISS --- . . . . . . . . . . .
payloads of up to 7,500 kg can be delivered). The inaugural launch of
ATV (Jules Verne) took place on March 9, 2008 on an Ariane 5 launch
vehicle from Kourou.
AU Astronomical Unit, Sun---Earth distance = 1.496 x 10
8
km (average) . . . . . . . . . . . .
AURA Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy [Washington . . . . . . . . .
DC, since 1957, AURA/STSI (Space Telescope Science Institute) is the
operator of the Hubble Space Telescope for NASA]
AUSPACE Auspace Ltd. of MawsonLakes, SouthAustralia (provider of electronic . . . . . .
equipment, FedSat, etc.). Auspace is a wholly owned subsidiary of
EADS Astrium.
AVHRR Advanced Very---High Resolution Radiometer (NOAA Sensor, . . . . . . . .
AVHRR/3 on NOAA---K,L,M,N is to be renamed in VIRSR for
NOAA---O,P,Q)
3467
Avionics A contraction of the terms aviation and electronics. An avionics . . . . . . .
system is being used on aircraft and spacecraft --- comprising commu-
nications, navigation and attitude control (the latter in the case of
spacecraft).
AVISO Archivage Validation and Interprtation des donnes des Satellites . . . . . . . . .
Ocanographiques [Archiving, Validation and Interpretation of Satel-
lites oceanographic data (CNES data center for GEOSAT, Topex/Po-
seidon, ERS---1/2, ENVISAT, Jason---1, etc.)]
AWACS Airborne Warning and Control System. A far---field radar surveillance . . . . . . . .
systemdeveloped by Westinghouse Corp. The radars antenna is a pas-
sive phasedarray usedfor the monitor control inelevation. AWACSop-
erates in S---band and is able to detect low---flying targets up to dis-
tances of 370 km --- fromcruising altitudes of 10 km. AWACS is a prod-
uct of the Cold War (mountedon topof a Boeing 707); the first AWACS
system was flown in March 1977.
AWCS Automated Wafer Cartridge System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
AWG American Wire Gauge (the higher the number the thinner the wire) . . . . . . . . . .
AWG Arrayed Waveguide Grating (a plane optical filter, a wavelength multi- . . . . . . . . . .
plexer/demultiplexer usedinDWDMsystems, it belongs intothefamily
of high performance optical routing devices)
AWI Alfred Wegener Institut for Polar and Marine Research, Bremerhaven . . . . . . . . . . .
(since 1980) and Potsdam since 1992 (Germany)
AWIPS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (of NWS, NOAA) . . . . . . . . .
AWJ Abrasive Water Jet (a surface preparation technique used for telescope . . . . . . . . . . .
mirrors, etc.)
AWS Automated Weather Station . . . . . . . . . . .
AX.25 Amateur X.25 radio communication protocol (a modified version of . . . . . . . . . .
the commercial communication X.25 protocol standard), developed in
the early 1980s.
AXAF Advanced X---ray Astrophysics Facility, a NASA satellite mission in a . . . . . . . . .
highelliptical Earthorbit, deployedby Shuttle STS---93; inthe spring of
1999 AXAF has been renamed to Chandra X---ray Observatory in
honor of the late India---American Nobel Laureate Subrahmanyan
Chandrasekhar
AZBS Avionik Zentrum Braunschweig (Germany) . . . . . . . . . .
B
BA Baroreflex (Shuttle payload on D2 mission) . . . . . . . . . . . .
BAC Block Adaptive Quantization (a SAR raw data compression method) . . . . . . . . . . .
BACC Beijing Aerospace Control Center (Beijing, China) . . . . . . . . .
BADC British Atmospheric Data Center (at RAL, Chilton, UK) . . . . . . . . .
BAE Systems British Aerospace, Farnborough, Bristol, UK; BAEwas formed in1977 . . .
as anationalizedcorporationby themerger of BritishAircraft Corpora-
tion, Hawker Siddeley Aviation, Hawker Siddeley Dynamics and Scot-
tishAviation. In1981 BAEformedas apublic limitedcompany (Plc). In
1999 merger of BAEand GECs Marconi Electronic Systems. The new
company is called BAE Systems. BAESystems (over 100,000 employes
globally) business units as of 2002: Airbus UK, Aircraft Services Group,
Avionics, Australia, North America, etc. As a 25% shareholder in As-
trium, BAESystems is alsoheavily involvedinEarthobservation onthe
European scene --- in such programs as ERS, SPOT, HELIOS, MetOp,
Envisat, etc.
BAEX Baltic Aerosol Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
BGAN Broadband Global Area Network. BGAN is a combined voice and . . . . . . . . .
broadband data mobile communications service. Service introduction
in 2005 with Inmarsat---4F series to deliver Internet and intranet con-
tent and solutions, video on demand, LAN services, e---mail, phone,
etc.)
3468
BAHC Biospheric Aspects of the Hydrological Cycle (IGBPcore project since . . . . . . . . .
1994)
BALTEX Baltic Sea Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
BAMS Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society (a periodical) . . . . . . . . .
BAQ Block Adaptive Quantization, a compression technique most suitable . . . . . . . . . . .
(and a de---facto standard) for raw SAR data compression. Also:
FD---BAQ or FDBAQ (Flexible Dynamic Block Adaptive Quantiza-
tion).
BAS British Antarctic Survey (Cambridge, UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
BATC Ball Aerospace andTechnologies Corporation(Aerospace Systems Di- . . . . . . . . . .
vision in Boulder, CO, and Telecommunication Products Division in
Broomfield, CO) formerly: Ball Brothers Research Corporation, since
1956, [manufacturer of satellites such as: Seasat, SIR---C, COBE(Cos-
mic BackgroundExplorer), CGRO(ComptonGamma Ray Observato-
ry), ERBS, CRRES, GFO---1; and builder of instruments: CZCS,
GHRS (Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph), STIS (Space Tele-
scope Imaging Spectrograph), and NICMOS (Near---Infrared Camera
and Multi ---Object Spectrometer), all on HST, etc.]
BASE Beaufort and Arctic Storm Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
BATERISTA Biosphere---Atmosphere Transfer and Ecological Research, In situ . . . .
Studies in Amazonia (campaign)
BATGE Biosphere---Atmosphere Trace Gas Exchange in the Tropics (IGBP/ . . . . . . . .
IGAC campaign)
BATS Bermuda Atlantic Time---Series Study (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
BB Biolabor (Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . . . . . .
BBM Breadboard Model . . . . . . . . . .
BBXRT Broad Band X---Ray Telescope (part of ASTRO---1 observatory, . . . . . . . .
Shuttle)
BCP Ball (or BATC) Commercial Platform(BCP2000 series bus, BCP4000 . . . . . . . . . . .
series, BCP 5000, etc.)
BCR Battery Charge Regulator . . . . . . . . . . .
BCRS Netherlands Remote Sensing Board (Delft, The Netherlands) . . . . . . . . . .
BCSC Boeing Commercial Space Co. (a subsidiary of the Boeing Co, char- . . . . . . . . . .
tered to commercialize space technologies)
BDPU Bubble, Drop and Particle Unit (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
BDS Bioreactor Demonstration System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
BEC Boise---Einstein Condensation . . . . . . . . . . .
BELSPO Belgian Federal Science Policy Office, Brussels, Belgium . . . . . . .
BEP Beamed Energy Propulsion . . . . . . . . . . .
BER Bit Error Rate (in data transmission systems) . . . . . . . . . . .
BEST Bilan Energtique du Systme Tropical (Tropical System Energy Bud- . . . . . . . . . .
get), a proposed CNES mission
BFN Beam Forming Network . . . . . . . . . . .
BGI Bureau Gravimtrique International (Paris, France) . . . . . . . . . . .
BGR Bundesanstalt fr Geowissenschaften und Rohstoffe (Hannover, Ger- . . . . . . . . . .
many)
BIB Blocked Impurity Band (detector type) . . . . . . . . . . . .
BIBEX Biomass Burning Experiment (program of IGBP/IGAC) . . . . . . . . .
BIC Business IncubationCentre (of ESA/ESTECinNoordwijk, theNether- . . . . . . . . . . .
lands)
BIC/TCP Binary Increase Congestion/TransmissionControl Protocol (as of 2004, . . . . . . .
a newly dveloped high---volume Internet Protocol at North Carolina
State University)
BiCMOS Bipolar Complementary Metal ---Oxide Semiconductor. BiCMOS is an . . . . . . .
evolved semiconductor technology that integrates two formerly separ-
ate semiconductor technologies --- those of the analog bipolar junction
3469
transistor and the digital CMOS transistor --- in a single integrated cir-
cuit device.
BIL Band Interleaved by Line (image organization) . . . . . . . . . . . .
BILTEN TUBITAK---METU BILTEN --- --- BILTEN is the acronym for Infor- . . . . . . . .
mation Technologies and Electronics Research Institute --- BILTENis
affiliated with TUBITAK (also spelling of TBITAK) --- --- TUBITAK
is the acronym for The Scientific and Technical Council of Turkey a
non---profit governmental organization of Turkey, located on the cam-
pus of the Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey
BIO3D Biochemistry of 3---D Tissue Engineering (Shuttle Payload) . . . . . . . . .
BIP Band Interleaved by Pixel (image organization) . . . . . . . . . . . .
BIPM Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (Paris, France) --- Interna- . . . . . . . . . .
tional Bureau of Weights and Measures
BIPVs Building---Integrated Photovoltaics (in 2009, this refers to flexible . . . . . . . . .
rooftop solar panels)
BIRA Belgisch Instituut voor Ruimte Aeronomie (Brussels, Belgian Institute . . . . . . . . . .
of Space Aeronomy)
BISSAT Bistatic SAR Satellite (a proposed minisatellite mission of ASI) . . . . . . . .
BJT Bipolar Junction Transistor (a three---terminal electronic device con- . . . . . . . . . . .
structed of doped semiconductor material and may be used in amplify-
ing or switching applications)
BLAST Battlefield Laser Acquisition Sensor Test (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . .
BLM Bureau of Land Management (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
Blog Ablog (a contraction of the termweblog) is a type of website, usually . . . . . . . . . . .
maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, de-
scriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.
BMBF Bundesministerium fr Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und . . . . . . . . .
Technologie (German Ministry of Education, Science, Research and
Technology, the successor to BMFT, since 1994)
BMDO Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, since 1993 [US, Divisionwithin . . . . . . . . .
DoD, formerly known as SDIO(Strategic Defense Initiative Organiza-
tion)]. In 2002, BMDO was renamed to MDA (Missile Defense
Agency)
BMFT Bundesministerium fr Forschung und Technologie (German Ministry . . . . . . . . .
of Research and Technology, prior to 1994)
BMO British Meteorological Office (same as UKMO, HQs in Bracknell, Re- . . . . . . . . . .
mote Sensing Instrumentation branch in Farnborough)
BMRC Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre (Melbourne, Australia) . . . . . . . . .
BMV Bundesministerium fr Verkehr (German Ministry of Transportation) . . . . . . . . . .
BMVg Bundesministerium fr Verteidigung (German Ministry of Defense) . . . . . . . . .
BNL Brookhaven National Laboratory (Upton, NY, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
BNSC BritishNational Space Centre (London, UK) since 1985. BNSCis inef- . . . . . . . . . .
fect a partnership between 10 government departments and research
councils --- it is Britains Space Agency.
BNTS---1 Beidou Navigation Test Satellite---1 (first augmentation system GEO . . . . . . .
satellite of China, launch Oct. 2000)
BOC Binary Offset Carrier (modulation technique of Galileo, GPS) . . . . . . . . . . .
CBOC (Composite BOC)
MBOC (Multiplexed BOC)
TMBOC (Time---Multiplexed BOC)
Boeing Co. Seattle, WA, USA. A conglomerate (over 200,000 employees) of Boe- . . . . .
ing + Rockwell International (purchase of Rockwells aerospace and
defense business in Dec. 1996) + McDonnell Douglas Corp. (merger
with Boeing in Aug. 1997). Boeing is also a large manufacturer of tele-
communication satellites. In October 2000, The Boeing Company ac-
quired three units within Hughes Electronics Corporation: Hughes
Space and Communications Company, Hughes Electron Dynamics,
and Spectrolab, Inc., in addition to Hughes Electronics interest in
3470
HRL (Hughes Research Laboratory). The four are now part of Boe-
ings newest subsidiary, Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc.
BOREAS Boreal Ecosystem---Atmosphere Study (campaign) . . . . . . .
BOST Belgian Office of Science and Technology . . . . . . . . . .
BP Bundle Protocol. The BP implements the DTN (Delay Tolerant Net- . . . . . . . . . . . .
working) architecture. The key capabilities of the bundle protocols in-
clude custody---based reliability, ability to cope with intermittent con-
nectivity, ability to take advantage of scheduled and opportunistic con-
nectivity, and late binding of names to addresses.
BPDF Bidirectional Polarization Distribution Function . . . . . . . . . .
BPOT Bioluminescence Potential . . . . . . . . .
BPSK Bi ---Phase Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . .
BRDF Bidirectional Reflectance and Distribution Function . . . . . . . . .
BRE Broad Reach Engineering (Tempe, AZ, USA, since 1997); provider of . . . . . . . . . . .
space components.
BREMSAT University of Bremen Satellite (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
BRIC Biological Research in Canister (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
BrO Bromine monoxide . . . . . . . . . . .
BSH Bundesamt fr Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (Hamburg, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . .
BSI British Standards Institution . . . . . . . . . . . .
BSIS Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems (Seal Beach, CA) . . . . . . . . . . .
BSPO Belgian Science Policy Office . . . . . . . . . .
BSRN Baseline Surface Radiation Network (WCRP/GEWEX) . . . . . . . . . .
BSS Boeing Satellite Systems, Inc. El Segundo, CA (since Oct. 2000) . . . . . . . . . . .
BST Barium, Strontiumand Titanium(BST is a ceramic material consisting . . . . . . . . . . .
of barium, strontium and titanium salts. Because ferroelectrics retain
their electric polarization after application and removal of an electric
field, their polarization depends on temperature. The IR detector
technology of BST is based on an uncooled ferroelectric BST array.
BSTC Biotechnology Specimen Temperature Controller (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
BUFR BUFR is an acronym for Binary Universal Form for the Representa- . . . . . . . . .
tion of meteorological data. BUFRis a WMO (World Meteorological
Organization) standardbinary code for the exchange andstorage of da-
ta.
BWB Bundesamt fr Wehrtechnik und Beschaffung (German Office of De- . . . . . . . . . .
fense Technology and Procurement), Koblenz
C
C/A Coarse Acquisition (a GPS and GLONASS code) . . . . . . . . . . . .
CAA Comtech AeroAstro Inc., Ashburn, VA, USA . . . . . . . . . . .
CAAC Civil Aviation Association of China . . . . . . . . .
CAAO Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics (at the University of Arizona . . . . . . . . .
in Tucson, AZ)
CAFE Central Australian Fronts Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
CALIPSO Cloud---Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations . . . . . .
(a NASA/CNESmission, newname as of the endof 2001), alias PICAS-
SO---CENA, alias ESSP---3
CAM Centre dAviation Mtorologique (France) . . . . . . . . . .
CAMAREX Carbon in the Amazon River Experiment (campaign) . . . .
CAMEX Convection and Atmospheric Moisture Experiment (airborne cam- . . . . . . .
paign conducted at NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island,VA)
CAN Controller Area Network (used in embedded systems) . . . . . . . . . . .
CANDOS Communications and Network Demonstrations on Shuttle (Hitchhiker . . . . . .
payload on STS---107)
CANEUS Canada---Europe---UnitedStates Organizationfor AerospaceApplica- . . . . . .
tions
CANEX Canadian Experiments (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
3471
CANSOC Canadian Satellite Operations Center (in St---Hubert, Canada) . . . . . .
CAO Central Aerological Observatory (Moscow) . . . . . . . . . .
CAPE Convection and Precipitation Electrification Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
CAPL Capillary Pumped Loop (Shuttle experiment of Hitchhiker payload, . . . . . . . . . .
see also CPL)
CARIBIC Civil Aircraft for Remote---Sensing and In---Situ---Measurements in . . . . . .
Troposphere and Lower Stratosphere Based on the Instrumentation
Container Concept (P.41.3)
CART Cloud and Radiation Testbed [field measurement component of the . . . . . . . . .
DOE ARM program; the three CART sites are: SGP (Southern Great
Plains) near Billings in northern Oklahoma, TWP (Tropical Western
Pacific on Manus Island, Papua, New Guinea), and NSA (North Slope
of Alaska)]
CAPTEX Cross---Appalachian Tracer Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
CAS Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing, China, since 1949) . . . . . . . . . . .
CAS/CSSAR CAS/Center for Space Science and Applied Research, Beijing, China, . . . .
since 1987
CAS/IRSA CAS/Institute for Remote Sensing Applications, Beijing, China . . . . . .
CAS/SITP CAS/Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics, Shanghai, China . . . . . .
CASA Construcciones Aeronauticas S.A. (Madrid, Spain). InJuly 1999 CASA . . . . . . . . . .
merged with DASA (DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG)
CASC (CASTC) China Aerospace Science & Technology Corporation (Beijing, since .
1993, also referred to as CAC). CASC, as a large state---owned enter-
prise, exerts primary control over the national space programonaday---
to---day basis (handling of internal matters). CASCspecializes indevel-
oping, building and suppling launch vehicles, satellites, various types of
strategic and tactical missiles as well as satellite ground application sys-
tems and providing commercial launch services.
Over 130 Chinese organizations are subordinate to CASC, including
five large academies [CALT (Chinese Academy of Launch---Vehicle
Technology), CAST (Chinese Academy of Space Technology), SAST
(Shanghai Academy of Space---Flight Technology), CASET (Chinese
Academy of Space Electronic Technology), and the Academy of Space
Chemical Propulsion Technology]. The Dongfanghong Satellite Com-
pany of Beijing is also part of CASC.
CASI Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute . . . . . . . . . .
CASIS Center for the Advancement of Science in Space. CASIS is a non--- . . . . . . . . .
profit organization selected by NASA in July 2011 to maximize use of
theISSU.S. National Laboratory through2020. CASIShas openedpart
of the ISS exterior to research experiments via NanoRacks, a company
providing plug---and---play platforms aboard the Station tothird---party
research organizations.
6162)
CASP Canadian Atlantic Storms Program (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
CAST Center for Aerospace Technology (Weber State University, Ogden, . . . . . . . . . .
Utah)
CAST Chinese Academy of Space Technology (Beijing, China, since 1968). . . . . . . . . . .
CAST has responsibility for the design and manufacture of most Chi-
nese satellites --- and operates a number of institutions (12) and facto-
ries tomeet satellite development andtesting requirements. CASTem-
ploys more than6000 technicians (2000 with higher degrees). --- Meteo-
rological satellite instruments are being build by SITP (Shanghai Insti-
tute of Technical Physics).
CATSAT Cooperative Astrophysical and Technology Satellite (part of STEDI . . . . . . .
program, see N.26.3)
_____________________
6162) CASISandNanoRacks Close Deal toUse Commercial ResearchPlatformintheExtremes of Space, 2012, URL:
http://nanoracks.com/wp--- content/uploads/Release--- 01--- Casis--- NanoRacks--- Commercial--- Platform
.pdf
3472
CAWSES Climate and Weather of the Sun---Earth System (an international pro- . . . . . . .
gram which started in 2004)
CBE Chemical Beam Epitaxy (a growth technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
CBE Current Best Estimate (for instance for a spacecraft mass in planning) . . . . . . . . . . .
CBERS China/Brazil --- Earth Resources Satellite, D.9. The satellite is also re- . . . . . . . .
ferred to as Ziyuan---1, meaning resource in Chinese.
CBLAST Coupled Boundary Layers Air---Sea Transfer [a NOAA, ONR, etc. re- . . . . . . .
search project of mapping mesoscale and sub---mesoscale ocean wind
fields and to characterize MABL(Marine Atmospheric Boundary Lay-
er)]
CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (Cape Canaveral, FL, USA) . . . . . . . .
CCD Charge---Coupled Device (solid---state detector type) . . . . . . . . . . .
CCDev Commercial Crew Development (program of NASA to stimulate de- . . . . . . . . .
velopment of privately operated crew vehicles to LEO)
CCE Charge Composition Explorer (S/C of AMPTE mission, K.4.3) . . . . . . . . . . .
CCETT Centre Commun d Etudes de Tlcommunications et de Tldiffusion . . . . . . . .
(Rennes, France)
CCIR Comit Consultatif International des Radiocommunications (Interna- . . . . . . . . . .
tional Consultative Committee for Radio Communications , an organ
of ITU). As of 1990 CCIR was renamed to ITU---R.
CCIT Coherent Communications, Imaging and Targeting (a DARPA spon- . . . . . . . . . .
sored program for secure communications)
CCITT Comit Consultatif International Tlphonique et Tlgraphique (one . . . . . . . . .
of three bodies for the definition of OSI. CCITT is a permanent organ
of ITU). As of 1990 CCITT was renamed to ITU---T (ITU---Telecom-
munications)
CCLRC Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils [UKs . . . . . . . .
strategic agency for large---scale research facilities, since 1995, RAL
(Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) is part of CCLRC]
CCM---A Cell Culture Module---A (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . .
CCN Cloud Condensation Nuclei . . . . . . . . . . .
CCPD Charge---Coupled Photo Detector . . . . . . . . .
CCRS Canada Center for Remote Sensing (Ottawa, Ontario; established in . . . . . . . . . .
1972, part of Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Canada)
CCSDS Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS was formed . . . . . . . .
in 1982 by the major space agencies of the world to provide a forumfor
discussion of common problems in the development and operation of
space data systems)
CD Compact Disk (introduction in 1982) . . . . . . . . . . . .
CDA Command and Data Acquisition (NOAAAntenna, downlink concept) . . . . . . . . . . .
CDDIS Crustal Dynamics Data Information System (database at GSFC) . . . . . . . . .
CDGPS Carrier---phase Differential GPS (a relative position measurement . . . . . . . .
technique)
CDMA Code Division Multiple Access (a communication access scheme) . . . . . . . . .
CDMU Command and Data Management Unit . . . . . . . .
CDOM Chromophoric Dissolved Organic Matter (in ocean color measure- . . . . . . . .
ments)
CDP Crustal Dynamics Program (NASA) . . . . . . . . . . .
CdZnTe Cadmium Zinc Telluride (a detector material --- also referred to as . . . . . . . .
CZT)
CDR Critical Design Review . . . . . . . . . .
CD---ROM Compact Disk --- Read Only Memory (storage capacity up to 650 . . . . .
MByte)
CD---R/W Compact Disk --- Read/Write . . . . . .
CDTI Center for Technological and Industrial Development (Centro para el . . . . . . . . . .
Desarrollo Tecnolgico e Industrial), Madrid, Spain [since 1977, a gov-
ernment space policy coordination center --- and a PPP (Public, Private
3473
Partnership) organization reporting to the Spanish Ministry of Science
and Innovation]
CDWL Coherent---detection Doppler Wind Lidar . . . . . . . . .
CEA Commissariat lEnergie Atomique . . . . . . . . . . .
CEAREX Coordinated Eastern Arctic Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
CEBAS Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
CE90 Circular Error of 90% --- a measure of positional accuracy of observed . . . . . . . . . .
imagery. The location error is defined in relation to a confidence level
(i.e., range of error) of 90% (CE90) meaning that the objects loca-
tion is represented on the image, within the stated accuracy, 90%of the
time. The CE90 accuracy scale can be related to RMSE (Root Mean
Square Error) as well as the U.S. NMAS (National Map Accuracy
Standards).
CEC Commission of the European Communities (Brussels, Belgium) . . . . . . . . . . .
CEES Committee on Earth and Environmental Sciences (US interagency . . . . . . . . . .
committee)
CEMAGREF Centre dEtude duMachinisme Agricole du Genie Rural et des Eaux et . . .
Forests (France)
CentrAl Central Reinforced Aluminum (as of 2007, a new fatigue resistant ma- . . . . . . . .
terial developed by the Delft University of Technology, Delft, The
Netherlands withpartners GTMAdvanced Structures, The Hague, and
Alcoa, USA). The CentrAl concept comprises a central layer of fiber
metal laminate (FML), sandwiched between one or more thick layers
of high---quality aluminum.
CEOS Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (since 1984). CEOS coor- . . . . . . . . .
dinates internationally all civil spaceborne missions designed to ob-
serve andstudy our planet. ASof 2002, CEOS comprises 39 space agen-
cies and other national and international organizations.
CEP Circular Error Probable (in S/C or instrument pointing or in a naviga- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion vector --- it is a measure in a systems precision to provide the loca-
tion or position knowledge)
CEPEX Central Equatorial Pacific Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
CEPT European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administra- . . . . . . . . . .
tions (Montreux, Switzerland, since 1959). CEPT comprises 43 Euro-
pean countries and is charged with representing Europe on such items
as spectrum issues, etc.
CERFACS Centre Europen de Recherche et de Formation Avance en Calcul . . . . . .
Scientifique (Toulouse, France, since 1987) European Center for Re-
search and Advanced Training in Scientific Computation
CERGA Centre dEtudes et des Recherches en Geodynamique et Astrometrie . . . . . . . .
(in Grasse, France)
CERISE Caracterisation de lEnvironnement Radioelectrique par un Instru- . . . . . . .
ment Spatial Embarque, (French S/C), D.62.11
CERN Centre Europen de Recherche Nuclaire (European Center for Nu- . . . . . . . . .
clear Research), Geneva, Switzerland. CERN, founded in 1954, was
born out of a need to collaborate: no single European country could af-
ford the facilities that were needed in the field of nuclear research.
CERN is an international organization with 20 member states, whose
business is scientific research into the fundamental laws of matter.
CES Committee on Earth Studies --- a standing committee of the Space . . . . . . . . . . .
Studies Board within the National Research Council (NRC), USA
CESAR Cooperacion Espaola---Argentina (satellite of INTA and CONAE) . . . . . . . .
CESBIO Centre dEtudes Spatiales de la Biosphre (Toulouse, France) . . . . . . .
CESIC Carbon---fiber reinforced Silicon Carbide, a product of ECM Inge- . . . . . . .
nieur---Unternehmen, Munich, Germany. CESIC (also written as Ces-
ic) is a ceramic matrix composite material (made of SiC , Si and C) of
high stiffness, high thermal conductivity, and low thermal expansion
3474
fromroomto cryogenic temperatures. It is an ideal material toproduce
lightweight, stable structures and a range of high---precision optome-
chanical components, such as lightweight mirrors, telescope, instru-
ment structures, and optical benches for both land--- and space---based
applications.
CESR Centre dEtude Spatiale des Rayonnements (Toulouse, France, part of . . . . . . . . . .
CNRS)
CETA Crew and Equipment Translation Aids (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
CETP Centre detude des Environnements Terrestre et Planetaire (Velizy/ . . . . . . . . . .
Saint---Maur, France, CNRS Lab)
CEU Commission of the European Union (successor of previous CEC) . . . . . . . . . . .
CEV Centre dEssais en Vol (French Test Flight Center) . . . . . . . . . . .
CEV Crew Exploration Vehicle (NASA). CEVis a newtransport vehicle de- . . . . . . . . . . .
velopment which will succeed the Space Shuttle as NASAs spacecraft
for human space exploration (in the time frame 2010 and beyond).
Note: As of July 2006, the crew launch vehicle was renamed to Ares I,
and the cargo launcher was renamedto Ares V. The Ares I will carry just
the crew exploration vehicle and astronauts into orbit, while the much
larger Ares V will carry the cargo and equipment. Once in orbit, the
crew exploration vehicle will link up with the cargo vehicle to travel on
to the moon. The I and V designations of Ares pay homage to the
Apollo programs Saturn I and Saturn V rockets, the first large US
space vehicles conceived and developed specifically for human space-
flight.
CfAO Center for Adaptive Optics, UCSC (University of California at Santa . . . . . . . . . .
Cruz)
CFAR Constant False Alarm Rate (radar technique) . . . . . . . . . .
CFCs Chlorofluorocarbons . . . . . . . . . .
CFC---11 CCl
3
F, trichlorofluoromethane, Freon---11 . . . . . . .
CFC---12 CCl
2
F
2
, dichlorodifluoromethane, Freon---12 . . . . . . .
CFDP CCSDSFile Delivery Protocol (a standardizedfile transfer protocol for . . . . . . . . . .
space missions)
CFES Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
CFRP Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (also: CFRM for Material) . . . . . . . . . .
CFRS Carbon Fiber Reinforced Silicone . . . . . . . . . .
CGBA Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
CGWIC China Great Wall Industry Corporation (Beijing, since 1980), provider . . . . . . . .
of Long March launch services to the world market
CGM Camera Geometric Model . . . . . . . . . .
CGMS Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites [since 1972; active . . . . . . . . .
CGMS members are: EUMETSAT (Europe), JMA (Japan), China,
Russia, NOAA (USA), WMO]. The global network of meteorological
satellites constitutes a major portion of the space---based GOS (Global
Observing System) of WWW (World Weather Watch).
CGP Shuttle payload consisting of: [CSE (Cryo System Experiment), GP . . . . . . . . . . .
(Glow Phenomenon)]
CGU Canadian Geophysical Union . . . . . . . . . .
CGWIC China Great Wall Industry Corporation (launch service provider). . . . . . . . .
CGWIC was established in 1980 and restructured in 2004.
CH
3
Cl Methyl chloride . . . . . . . . .
CH
4
Methane . . . . . . . . . . .
CHAMP Challenging Minisatellite Payload . . . . . . .
CHAMP Comet Halley Active Monitoring Program (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . .
CHASE Coronal Helium Abundance Spacelab Experiment (Spacelab---2) . . . . . . . .
CHEOPS CHEmistry of Ozone in the Polar Stratosphere (airborne campaign) . . . . . . .
CHIRP Commercially Hosted Infrared Payload --- a technology demonstration . . . . . . . .
instrument of DoD (USAF/SMC) developed at SAIC, launch in 2010
3475
on a SES AGS (Americom Government Services) spacecraft (SES---2)
into GEO
CHORUS Chemistry of Ozone Reduction in the Lower Stratosphere (first Stra- . . . . . .
to---2C mission)
CHROMEX Chromosomes and Plant Cell Division (Shuttle experiment) . . . .
CHRPT Chinese High Resolution Picture Transmission (downlink mode) . . . . . . . .
CIB Cosmic Infrared Background . . . . . . . . . . .
CICERO Community Initiative for Continuing Earth Radio Occultation (a fu- . . . . . . .
ture constellation in planning as of 2007)
CICESE Center for Scientific Research and Higher Education (located at En- . . . . . . . .
senada, Baja California, Mexico, since 1973)
CID Charge---Injection Device (a charge---transfer detection technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
CID Collision---Induced Dissociation (a measurement technique in the at- . . . . . . . . . . .
mospheric sciences for studies of ion---molecule reactions, etc.)
CIDESON Centro de Investigacion y Desarrollo de los Recursos Naturales de So- . . . . . .
nora (Hermosillo, Mexico)
CIEMAT Centro de Investigaciones Energticas y Medioambientales (Environ- . . . . . . .
mental and Energetic Research Center), Spain
CIESIN Consortium for International Earth Science Information Network (a . . . . . . . .
private nonprofit corporation in Ann Arbor, Michigan (University
Center). CIESIN serves scientific, policy---making, educational, and
public access data andinformationneeds. CIESINdevelopedandis op-
erating SEDAC (Socio---Economic Data and Applications Center) as
part of one of nine data centers of EOSDIS.
CIGNET Cooperative International GPS Network of IAG (International . . . . . . .
Association of Geodesy), H.5.3.6
CIGS Cu (In,Ge) Se
2
type solar cells or Copper Indium Germanium Disele- . . . . . . . . . .
nide (solar arrays based on thin film technology)
CIMS Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry (a measurement technique . . . . . . . . . .
frequently used for atmospheric measurements)
CIMSS Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (University . . . . . . . . .
of Wisconsin, Madison)
CINDE Convection Initiation and Downburst Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
CINDIS ColdInterferometric NullingDemonstrationInSpace (NASAmission) . . . . . . . .
CIR Color Infrared (video images) . . . . . . . . . . .
CIRA Centro Italiano Ricerche Aerospaziali (Italian Aerospace Research . . . . . . . . . .
Center) since 1984, Capua, Italy
CIRAC Canadian Institute for Research in Atmospheric Chemistry . . . . . . . . .
CIRES Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (Uni- . . . . . . . . .
versity of Boulder, and at NOAA, Boulder, CO, USA)
CIRRIS Cryogenic Infrared Radiance Instrumentation for Shuttle (DoD . . . . . . . .
Shuttle payload)
CIS Commonwealth of Independent States (part of former Soviet Union or . . . . . . . . . . . .
USSR)
CIS Copper IndiumGalliumDiselenide (CuInSe
2
, integratedthin---filmso- . . . . . . . . . . . .
lar cell technology)
CIT California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA) . . . . . . . . . . . .
CIT Computerized Ionospheric Tomography . . . . . . . . . . . .
CITE Chemical Instrumentation Test and Evaluation (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
CIV Critical Ionization Velocity (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
CIVEX Cloud Instruments Validation Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
CLARA Cloud And Radiation (campaign) . . . . . . . .
CLASS Cross---chain LORAN Atmospheric Sounding System (NCAR . . . . . . . . .
ground---based sounding stations)
CLC CubeSat Launch Company, of Boulder, CO (since 2001, provider of . . . . . . . . . . .
CubeSat launch arrangements, etc.)
CLEO Conference on Lasers and Electro---Optics (annual conference) . . . . . . . . .
3476
CLEOPATRA Cloud Experiment Oberpfaffenhofen and Transports (campaign) . . .
CLIVAR Climate Variability and Predictability (WCRP campaign program) . . . . . . .
CLIVAR---ACC CLIVAR --- Anthropogenic Climate Change .
CLIVAR---DecCenCLIVAR --- Decadal ---to---Centennial time---scales
CLIVAR---GOALSCLIVAR --- Global Ocean---Atmosphere---Land System
CLOUDS Cloud and Radiation Monitoring Satellite (a proposed ESA mission as . . . . . .
of 2001, A.9)
CLOUDS Cloud Logic to Optimize Use of Defense Systems (Shuttle payload) . . . . . .
ClO Chlorine monoxide . . . . . . . . . . .
CIOMP/CAS Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics/Chinese . . . .
Academy of Sciences (located in Changchun, China, since 1952).
ClONO
2
(ClONO
3
) Chlorine nitrate . . . . . . .
CLRC Central Laboratory of the Research Councils (UK) . . . . . . . . . .
CLS Collecte Localisation Satellites (a CNES subsidiary with HQ in Tou- . . . . . . . . . . .
louse, France) CLS was set up in 1986 to process the data of the Argos
(data collection) systemand deliver it to the end user. In this context: A
second CNES subsidiary, Service Argos Inc. of Largo, MD (USA) pro-
vides the same service for US customers.
CLTP Cansat Leader Training Program. CLTP was established in 2010 by . . . . . . . . . .
UNISEC(Japan) tocontribute tocapacity building in space technology
and improve teaching methods---based space engineering education.
CLUSTER ESA/NASA Solar---Terrestrial Mission (K.7) . . . . .
C---MAN Coastal ---Marine Automated Network [NOAA/NWS/NDBC moored . . . . . . .
buoy network (over 100 buoys) with hourly reports via GOES DCS]
CMA China Meteorological Administration, Beijing (government agency) . . . . . . . . . .
CMA/NSMC CMA/National Satellite Meteorological Center, Beijing, China . . . .
CMB Cosmic Microwave Background . . . . . . . . . .
CMC Canadian Meteorological Centre . . . . . . . . . .
CMC Ceramic Matrix Composite (material) . . . . . . . . . .
CME Coronal Mass Ejection (of the sun) . . . . . . . . . .
CMESS---95 Cooperative Multiscale Experiment Spring/Summer 1995 (campaign) . . . .
CMG Control Moment Gyroscope . . . . . . . . . .
CMIX Commercial Materials Dispersion Apparatus Instrument Technology . . . . . . . . .
Associates Experiments (Shuttle experiment)
CMOS Complementary Metal ---Oxide Semiconductor (solid---state micropro- . . . . . . . . .
cessor technology)
CMS Centre de Mtorologie Spatiale (Lannion, France) . . . . . . . . . . .
CMSE Commercialization of Military and Space Electronics (conferences) . . . . . . . . .
CMT CdHgTe (Cadmium Mercury Telluride --- a photodiode detector type . . . . . . . . . .
for detection in the spectral range of 3.5 --- 11 m). Detection of very
long wavelengths ( m) using CdHgTe implies very small band
gaps.
CN Condensation Nuclei . . . . . . . . . . . .
CNCR Characterization of Neurospora Circadian Rhythms (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
CNES Centre National DEtudes Spatiales (Space Agency of France, Paris, . . . . . . . . . .
Toulouse, Evry, and Kourou, since 1962). Employment (1999) of 2500
scientists and engineers; of these, about 1700 employees are in Tou-
louse. CNES/HQ is in Paris with about 250 employees.
CNES/AVISO CNES/Archiving, Validation and Interpretation of Satellites oceano- . . .
graphic data (CNES data center for GEOSAT, Topex/Poseidon,
ERS---1/2, ENVISAT, Jason---1, etc.)
CNET Centre National dEtudes des Tlcommunications (France Tlcom) . . . . . . . . .
CNIE Comision Nacional de Investigaciones Espaciales (former Space . . . . . . . . . .
Agency of Argentina)
CNR ConsiglioNazionale delle Ricerche (National ResearchCounsel of Ita- . . . . . . . . . . .
ly, Rome). CNR is a government agency which promotes and coordi-
nates institutional research in the interests of Italy. CNR was founded
3477
in 1923 and reorganized in 1945 and 1979. CNR funds/maintains 157
institutes, 117 study centers, and 16 research groups throughout Italy.
Research is supported in the natural and human sciences. In 1980 PSN
(National Space Program) was created within CNR. Some space pro-
jects supported by CNR are: Italsat, TSS (Tethered Satellite System),
Iris (propulsion system for the transfer of useful loads from the Space
Shuttles hold to a higher orbit), Lageos---2, andSax (X---ray astrono-
my). CNR maintains a number of cooperations with various space
agencies. In 1988 ASI (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) was founded which
succeededCNRinrelations concerningmatters of planning andadmin-
istrative nature. Nevertheless, CNRcontinues tofollowspecific aspects
of research within the context of its own bodies.
CNR/DCAS CNR / Direzione Centrale Attivit Scientifiche (Rome, Italy) . . . .
CNR/FISBAT CNR / Istituto per lo Studio dei Fenomeni Fisici e Chimici della Bassa . . .
edAlta Atmosfera (Institute of Physics andChemistry of the Lower and
Upper Atmosphere, Bologna, Italy)
CNR/IFA CNR/ Istituto di Fisica dell Asmosfera (Institute for the Physics of the . . . . . . .
Atmosphere, Frascati, Italy)
CNR/IFAM CNR / Istituto di Fisica Atomica e Molecolare (Pisa, Italy) . . . . .
CNR/IFCTR CNR / Istituto die Fisica Cosmica e Teccnologie Relative (Milano) . . . .
CNR/IFSI CNR / Istituto de Fisica dello Spazio Interplanetario (Frascati, Italy) . . . . . .
CNR/IROE CNR / Istituto di Richerca sulle Onde Elettromagnetiche (Florence, . . . . .
Italy)
CNR/IMAA CNR/ Istitutodi Metodologie per lAnalisi Ambientale (Potenza, Italy, . . . .
Basilicata Region)
CNR/IMGA CNR / Istituto per lo Studio delle Metodologie Geofisiche Ambientali . . . .
(Bologna, Italy)
CNR/IMM CNR/ Istituto per la Microelettronica e i Microsistemi (Bologna, Italy) . . . . .
CNR/ISAC CNR / Istituto Scienze dellAtmosfera e del Clima (Bologna, Rome, . . . . .
etc., Italy), CNR/Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate
CNR/ITRE CNR / Istituto di Technologie e Studie della Radiazioni Extraterrestri . . . . .
(Bologna, Italy)
CNR/LARA CNR / Laboratorio Aereo per Ricerche Ambientali (Laboratory for . . . .
Airborne Environmental Studies, Rome, Italy)
CNR/PSN Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche / Piano Spaziale Nationale (Italy) . . . . . .
CNRM Centre National des Recherches Meteorologiques (France) . . . . . . . . .
CNRS Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (National ResearchCen- . . . . . . . . .
ter of France). CNRS is a government---funded basic---research orga-
nization which employs about 26,000 people, including more than
11,000 research scientists. The agency maintains facilities throughout
France. There are over 1500 CNRS laboratories active in all fields of
science. Most CNRS laboratories rely for their research on partner-
ships with French universities. There are also many CNRS coopera-
tions andexchanges withother researchorganizations ona national and
international level as well as with French industry. Only a few facilities
(dealing mostly with the sciences of the universe, such as: oceanogra-
phy, geophysics, climatology, hydrology, volcanology, seismology, as-
tronomy, astrophysics, etc.) are listed below.
CNRS/CESR CNRS/Centre dEtude Spatiale des Rayonnements (Toulouse, France) . . . .
CNRS/CERGA CNRS/Centre dEtudes et des Recherches en Geodynamique et Astro- .
metrie (Grasse, France)
CNRS/CETP CNRS/Centre dEtude des Environnenments Terrestre et Plantaires, . . . .
(sites at: Vlizy, Issy---les---Moulineaux, and Saint---Maur des Fosss,
France)
CNRS/IAS CNRS/Institut dAstrophysique Spatiale (Orsay, France) . . . . . .
CNRS/INSU CNRS/Institut National des Sciences de lUnivers (Paris, France) . . . .
CNRS/LAS CNRS/Laboratoire dAstronomie Spatiale (Marseille, France) . . . . .
3478
CNRS/LEGI CNRS/Laboratoire des Ecoulements Gophysiques et Industriels (La- . . . .
boratory of Geophysical andIndustrial FluidFlows), Grenoble, France
CNRS/LMD CNRS/Laboratoire de Mtorologie Dynamique (Palaiseau, France) . . . .
CNRS/LOA CNRS/Laboratoire dOptique Atmosphrique (University of Lille, . . . . .
France)
CNRS/LPCA CNRS/Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie de lAtmosphre (Universi- . . . .
ty of Strasbourg, France)
CNRS/LPCE CNRS/Laboratoire de Physique et de Chimie de lEnvironnement (Or- . . . .
leans---la---Source, France)
CNRS/SA CNRS/Service dAeronomie (Verrires---le---Buisson, France) . . . . . .
CNRSC China National Remote Sensing Center (since 1981) . . . . . . . .
CNSA China National Space Administration(Beijing, since 1993). The princi- . . . . . . . . . .
pal role of CNSAis toserve as Chinas policy organizationandinterface
with other national space agencies.
CNS/ATM Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Manage- . . . . . .
ment)
CNSS Compass/Beidou Navigation Satellite System (China) . . . . . . . . . .
CNT Carbon Nanotube (an emerging display and semiconductor technology . . . . . . . . . . .
as of 2003)
CNTS Centre National des Techniques Spatiales [Arzew(Algiers), Algeria] . . . . . . . . . .
CO Carbon monoxide . . . . . . . . . . . .
CO
2
Carbon dioxide . . . . . . . . . . .
COARE Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Response Experiment (campaign, see . . . . . . . .
TOGA/COARE)
COAST Coastal Oxidant Assessment for Southeast Texas (campaign) . . . . . . . .
CODAG Cosmic Dust Aggregation (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . .
CODAR Coastal Ocean Dynamic Application Radar (a ground---based, over--- . . . . . . .
the---horizon radar which reflects off of the ionosphere to measure sea
surface roughness and currents)
CODAR Cooperative Object Detection And Ranging (technology) . . . . . . .
CODE Coastal Ocean Dynamics Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
COF Columbus Orbital Facility (ESA module on ISS) . . . . . . . . . . .
COFDM Coded Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (a technique used . . . . . . .
in DAB)
COHMEX Cooperative Huntsville Meteorological Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
COLLIDE Collisions into Dust Experiment (Shuttle payload on STS---90) . . . . . .
COM DEV A manufacturer of space hardware (subsystems and microsatellites) . . . . .
and services with facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom and the
United States.
COMETS Communications and Broadcasting Engineering Test Satellite (proto- . . . . . .
type data relay satellite of Japan)
CONAE Comisin Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, Buenos Aires, Argenti- . . . . . . . .
na (National Commission on Space Activities, since 1991) --- Space
Agency of Argentina. The forerunner agency was CNIE(ComisinNa-
cional de Investigaciones Espaciales), created in 1960.
CONCAP Consortium for Materials Development in Space Complex Autono- . . . . . .
mous Payload (Shuttle experiment)
CONOPS Concept of Operations . . . . . . .
CONTOUR Comet Nucleus Tour (a NASA Discovery mission) . . . .
CONUS Continental United States (lower 48 states) . . . . . . . .
COPE Coastal Ocean Probing Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
COPS---91 Cooperative Oklahoma Profiler Study---1991 (campaign) . . . . . .
CoReH
2
O Cold Regions Hydrology High---resolution Observatory (in 2007 a pro- . . . . . .
posed ESA candidate mission in the Earth Explorer program)
CORISTA Consorzio Di Ricerca Su Sistemi Di Telesensori Avanzati ( Consortium . . . . . .
for Research on Advanced Remote Sensing Systems), Naples, Italy
3479
CORONAS Complex of Orbital Observations of the Activity of the Sun (Satellite of . . . . .
the Russian Space Agency, K.8)
CORPS Comprehensive Radiance Profile Synthesizer (an Earth radiance mod- . . . . . . . .
el developed in the 1960s, CORPS was used in connection with Earth
horizon sensors of an AOCS)
CORS Continuously Operating Reference Stations [NOAA/NGS (National . . . . . . . . .
Geodetic Survey) network of ground---based GPS stations collecting
continuously GPS data for a number of services]
COSMIAC Configurable Space Microsystems Innovations &Applications Center, . . . . .
COSMIAC is a congressionally supported space electronics center es-
tablished at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM.
COSMIC Constellation Observing Systemfor Meteorology, Ionosphere and Cli- . . . . . . .
mate (a Taiwanese/US mission). In Taiwan, the mission is referred toas
FormoSat---3, in USA the mission is known as COSMIC.
COSMOS The term Cosmos or Kosmos is used in Russia to designate any of a . . . . . .
series of unmanned satellites that were launched starting in 1962 with
Cosmos---1 (the counting in 1988 was up to 1800, in 1993 it is around
2200). The Cosmos satellite series has been used for a wide variety of
purposes, including scientific research, Earth observation, experimen-
tal/technological payloads, preoperational meteorological satellites,
navigation satellites, etc. There are also many satellites with military
payloads under the Cosmos designation.
COSMOS COSMOS is also the worlds most successful two stage space trans- . . . . . .
portation system with liquid propellant rocket engines, which has been
designed and developed by the Russian company PO/KB POLYOT.
First launch in 1964, from1970---87 there were 371 successful flights of
the Cosmos launcher). This launchsystemis usedfor the transportation
of small to mediumpayloads up to 1400 kg to lowearth orbits as well as
for sub---orbital missions and re---entry tests.
COSMOS Comprehensive Open---architecture Space Mission Operations System . . . . . .
(a NASA/ARCfundeddistributed groundstation network in support of
small satellite operations --- under development in 2012 by the Univer-
sity of Hawaii at Manoa). COSMOS is a framework of software and
hardware elements that addresses all phases of a spacecraft life cycle;
Design, Development, Implementation and Operations.
6163)
COSPAR Committee on Space Research (of ICSU, since 1958). COSPAR is an . . . . . . .
interdisciplinary scientific organization concerned with international
progress in all areas of scientific research carried out with space ve-
hicles, rockets, and balloons.
COSPAS Space Systemfor the Search of Distressed Vessels (Russias equipment . . . . . . .
flown on polar---orbiting S/C). Cospas is a Russian acronymthat stands
for Cosmicheskaya Systyema Poiska Aariynyich Sudov.
COSSA CSIRO Office of Space Science and Applications (since 1984, Canber- . . . . . . . .
ra, Australia)
COST Cooperation in the Field of Scientific and Technical Research (an EU . . . . . . . . . .
program)
COTES Conventional Terrestrial Reference System (an IERS program for the . . . . . . . .
specifications of positions on or near the Earths surface)
6164)
COTS Commercial ---Off---The---Shelf (products or components) . . . . . . . . . .
COTS Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (NASA program to co- . . . . . . . . . .
ordinate the delivery of crew and cargo to the ISS). COTS must be dis-
tinguished fromthe related CRS (Commercial Resupply Services) pro-
gram. COTS relates to the development of the vehicles, CRS to the ac-
tual deliveries.
_____________________
6163)Trevor Sorensen, Bruce Yost, Joan Differding, Eric Pilger, Miguel Nunes, Plug and Play Mission Operations, Pro-
ceedings of the 2012 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, Montana, USA, March 3--- 10, 2012
6164) See : The International Earth Rotation Service, in The Interdisciplinary Role of Space Geodesy, Springer Ver-
lag, 1989, pp. 229--- 232
3480
CPCG Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
cPCI Compact Peripheral Component Interface (a bus --- electrically identi- . . . . . . . . . . .
cal to the PCI specification)
CPDL Complex Programmable Logic Device . . . . . . . . . .
CPFSK Continuous Phase Frequency Shift Keying (a modulation techniique) . . . . . . . . .
CPL Capillary Pumped Loop Experiment (Shuttle payload series) . . . . . . . . . . .
CPLD Complex Programmable Logic Device . . . . . . . . . .
CPMA Code Position Multiple Access (communication access concept) . . . . . . . . .
CPR Cloud Profiling Radar (GEWEX) . . . . . . . . . . .
CPRA Control of the Reception Pattern multi ---element Antenna . . . . . . . . .
CPV Common Pressure Vessel (type of battery) . . . . . . . . . . .
CPV Concentrator Photovoltaic (solar cells). CPV systems use a large area . . . . . . . . . . .
of lenses or mirrors to focus sunlight on a small area of photovoltaic
cells.
CRA Centro Ricerche Aerospaziali (University of Rome, Italy) . . . . . . . . . . .
C---RAM Chalcogenide---Random Access Memory (a non---volatile memory . . . . . . .
technology, originally developed (1980s) by Ovonyx, Inc., Santa Clara,
CA)
CR Cognitive Radio. A CR is an extension of modern Software Defined . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radio. This extension creates new capabilities for users.
CRC Communication Research Center (an institute of Industry Canada, lo- . . . . . . . . . . .
cated at Shirleys Bay, west of Ottawa)
CRC Cooperative Research Centers (an Association of Australia) . . . . . . . . . . .
CRCSS Cooperative Research Center for Satellite Systems (Canberra, Austra- . . . . . . . . .
lia, the new Australian space agency, as of Jan. 1, 1998 --- it is also re-
ferred to as simply CRC). CRCSS, under the Cooperative Research
Centers Program of the Commonwealth of Australia, is a union of 12
Australian organizations, including government, university and indus-
try. Someof theparticipants are: CSIRO, University of SouthAustralia,
Queensland University of Technology, University of Newcastle, Uni-
versity of Technology, Sydney, Auspace Ltd. of Mitchell, ACT [Note:
since 1990, Auspace has been a subsidiary of MMS (Matra Marconi
Space) of France]
CREAM Cosmic Ray Effects and Activation Monitor (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . .
CRESDA China Center for Resource Satellite Data and Application (Beijing, . . . . . . .
since 1991), operator of CBERS S/Cand CBERS data center. Also op-
erator of HJ---1 series S/C and HJ---1 data center.
CREST Center for Research in Earth and Space Technology (North York, On- . . . . . . . .
tario, Canada). Formerly knownas ISTS(Institute of Space andTerres-
trial Science)
CRI Crown Research Institute (New Zealand) . . . . . . . . . . .
CRISP Center for Remote Imaging, Sensing and Processing (since 1992, Na- . . . . . . . . .
tional University of Singapore, Singapore)
CRL Communications Research Laboratory, Tokyo, a division of the Minis- . . . . . . . . . . .
try of Posts andTelecommunications (MPT) of Japan. Note: the former
name of CRL (until 1987) was RRL (Radio Research Laboratories)
CRO Chemical Release Observation (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
CRP Cloud Radiation Program . . . . . . . . . . .
CRPE Centre de Recherches en Physique de lEnvironnement Terrestre et . . . . . . . . .
Planetaire, at the following sites: Vlizy, Issy---les Moulineaux, and
Saint---Maur---des---Fosss, France (Lab was part of CNRS and of
CNET, starting in January 1994 CRPE was reorganized and renamed
CETP, there is no more dependence on CNET)
CRPSM Centro di Ricerca Progetto San Marco (San Marco ground receiving . . . . . . . .
station and processing/archiving facilities located at Malindi, Kenya),
CRPSM is owned and operated by the University of Rome, Italy. The
station is located at 3 S, 40 E.
3481
CRREL Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (US Army re- . . . . . . . .
search facility in Hanover, NH, USA)
CRRES Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (A.13) . . . . . . . .
CRS Commercial Resupply Service (provided for NASA ISS flights by the . . . . . . . . . . .
SpaceX uncrewed Dragon cargo spacecraft). Note: The SpaceX
CRS---2 flight is also known as SpX---2.
CRSS Commercial Remote Sensing System; Note: the S/C was renamed to . . . . . . . . . .
IKONOS
CRSS Canadian Remote Sensing Society (since 1973); CRSS is part of CASI . . . . . . . . . .
(Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute)
CRT Cathode Ray Tube . . . . . . . . . . .
CRTS Centre Royal Teledetection Spatiales, Rabat, Morrocco . . . . . . . . . .
CRTS Collapsible Rib---Tensioned Surface (reflector antennas, such as a de- . . . . . . . . . .
ployable membrane reflector type)
CRSR Commercial Reusable Suborbital Research program (a new NASA . . . . . . . . .
program of 2010)
CRV CrewReturn Vehicle (or X---38 CRVof NASA, usedfor ISSevacuation . . . . . . . . . . .
in case of an emergency)
CRYOFD Cryogenic Flexible Diode (Shuttle payload) . . . . . .
CRYOHP Cryogenic Heat Pipe Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . .
CRYOTSU Cryogenic Thermal Storage Unit (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
CRYSYS Use of the Cryospheric System to Monitor Global Change in Canada . . . . . . .
(campaign program)
CSA Canadian Space Agency (since 1989; CSA HQs and control center at . . . . . . . . . . .
Saint---Hubert, Qubec)
CSAC ChipScale Atomic Clock (market introductionin January 2011 by Sym- . . . . . . . . . .
metricom Inc.)
CSCE Commercial Space Center for Engineering (established under contract . . . . . . . . . .
with NASA/JSC, located on the Texas A&MUniversity campus; CSCE
supports industry development of palletized commercial payloads on
external platforms on ISS)
CSDL Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA (nee the . . . . . . . . . .
MIT Instrumentation Laboratory)
CSE Consortium for Superconducting Electronics (USA) involving Bell . . . . . . . . . . .
Labs, IBM, MIT, MIT/LL, etc.
CSEM Centre Suisse dElectronique et de Microtechnique (or: Swiss Center . . . . . . . . .
for Electronics and Microtechnology), Neuchatel, Switzerland
CSER Center for Satellite Engineering Research (University of Surrey, UK, . . . . . . . . . .
since 1993 CSER accommodates SSTL)
CSGC Colorado Space Grant Consortium --- a NASA---funded institution . . . . . . . . .
which supports student---designed satellites
CSIC Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (Spanish Research . . . . . . . . . .
Council, Madrid)
C/SiC Carbon fiber---reinforced/Silicon Carbide [ceramic material for preci- . . . . . . . . . .
sionapplications inoptics, power technology (heat exchangers), vehicle
technology (brakes, valves), chemical engineering, etc.]
CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa. . . . . . . . . . .
CSIR is Africas largest scientific and technological research, develop-
ment and implementation organization.
CSIRO Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization (Can- . . . . . . . . .
berra, Australia)
CSIST Chung---Shan Institute of Science and Technology --- a leading institu- . . . . . . . . .
tion for the research, development, anddesign of defense technology in
Taiwan (ROC) with HQs in Lungtan, Taoyuan County.
CSL Centre Spatial de Lige, Lige, Belgium . . . . . . . . . . .
CSMA/CD Carrier Sense Multiple Access / Collision Detection (commercially . . . . . .
known under Ethernet)
3482
CSMT Center for Space Microelectronics Technology (NASA/JPL facility, . . . . . . . . .
since 1987)
CSOC Consolidated Space Operations Contract (NASA/Lockheed Martin . . . . . . . . .
contract for Shuttle operations, etc.). The objective is toachieve alow---
risk, commercially---based space operations program for Shuttle.
CSR Centro de Sensores Remote (Italy) . . . . . . . . . . .
CSSR Chinese Society of Space Research . . . . . . . . . .
CST CORE Software Technology, Pasadena, CA [developer of the worlds . . . . . . . . . . .
first commercial on---line geo---spatial (image, cartographic, & demo-
graphic) indexing and distribution system]
CST---100 Crew Space Transportation. CST---100 is a spacecraft design proposed . . . . . . .
by Boeing in collaboration with Bigelow Aerospace as their entry for
NASAs Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) program. Its
primary mission would be to transport crew to the ISS (and eventually
to private space stations of Bigelow). First test flights are planned for
2015.
CSTG Commission on International Coordination of Space Techniques for . . . . . . . . . .
Geodesy and Geodynamics (since 1979), (Commission VIII of the In-
ternational Association of Geodesy)
CSU Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO . . . . . . . . . . .
CTA Canadian Target Assembly (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
CTA Centro Tecnico Aerospacial (Sao Jos dos Campos, S.P., Brazil) . . . . . . . . . . .
CTA CTA Space Systems, McLean, VA, (since 1979) manufacturer of small . . . . . . . . . . .
satellite systems (Clark, EarlyBird, REX, etc.) and instruments;
CTAST (CTA Space and Telecommunications) is the parent company
of CTASpace Systems. Note: CTASpace Systems was acquired by OSC
of Dulles, VA, in Aug. 1997
CTD Conductivity---Temperature---Depth profilers (a buoy type used in a . . . . . . . . . . .
number of campaigns like NORSEX, TOGA/COARE, etc.)
CTE Coefficient of thermal expansion . . . . . . . . . . .
CTIA Capacitive Transimpedance Amplifier (detector technology) . . . . . . . . . .
CTIS Computed Tomographic Imaging Spectrometer . . . . . . . . . .
CTIV Processing Center for VEGETATION Imagery (operated by Vito in . . . . . . . . . .
Mol, Belgium, VEGETATION is a SPOT---4, 5 instrument
CTP Cloud Top Pressure . . . . . . . . . . .
CUE Collaborative Ukrainian Experiment (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
CULPRiT CMOS Ultra Low---Power Radiation---Tolerant (logic technology, a . . . . . .
processor developed for ST---5)
CUZK Czech office for Surveying, Mapping and Cadastre . . . . . . . . .
CVD Chemical Vapor Deposition(technique --- involves a gas---phasechemi- . . . . . . . . . .
cal reaction occurring above a solid surface, which causes deposition
onto that surface)
CVF Circular Variable Filter (filter technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
CVR Chemical Vapor Reaction [also referred to as CVD (Chemical Vapor . . . . . . . . . . .
Deposition), technique]
CVTE Chemical Vapor Transport Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
CVX Critical Viscosity of Xenon (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
CW Continuous Wave . . . . . . . . . . . .
CWAAS Canadian WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) . . . . . . . .
CWICOM CCSDS Wavelet Image COMpression. CDICOM is a large dynamic, . . . . . .
large image and very high speed image compression ASIC. CWICOM
implements the CCSDS 122.0---B---1 Image Compression Standard.
CX---OLEV ConeXpress---Orbital Life Extension Vehicle (ESA project). ConeX- . . . . .
press converts the Ariane 5 payload adaptor into a small satellite with
plasma propulsion. In GEO, the spacecraft will be able to rendezvous
and capture the client spacecraft and take over the attitude control and
extending the life of the client spacecraft.
3483
CZT Cadmium Zinc Telluride (a detector material --- also referred to as . . . . . . . . . . .
CdZnTe)
D
DAAC Distributed Active Archive Center (NASA EOSDIS Program) . . . . . . . . .
DAB Digital Audio Broadcasting . . . . . . . . . . .
DALSA Corp. DALSA Corporation of Waterloo, Ontario (Canada, since 1980) . . .
manufacturing of semiconductor products, CCDs, etc.
DARA Deutsche Agentur fr Raumfahrtangelegenheiten, Bonn (German . . . . . . . . .
space agency (from 1989 to Sept. 30, 1997, DARA was integrated into
DLR effective Oct. 1, 1997)
DARPA Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (US DoD agency, since . . . . . . . .
1958, DARPA started as ARPAwith an early focus on space research).
Technological innovations such as the Transit navigation system, Inter-
net (in 1969 ARPANET started which become later Internet), stealth
technology, and many activities in the space program were sponsored
by DARPA.
DARWIN Detection and Analysis of Remote Worlds by Interferometric Nulling . . . . . .
(planned ESA mission of six spacecraft in a hexagonal configuration),
planned launch in 2015.
DASA DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG, Munich(HQ), Germany (with45,000 . . . . . . . . .
employees). Prior toNov. 1998, DASAstoodfor Daimler---Benz Aero-
space AG. Prior to January 1995 the meaning of the acronym DASA
was Deutsche Aerospace AG (since 1989). DASA/DSS (Dornier Sa-
tellitensysteme GmbH) is a DASA business unit responsible for all
satellite---related activities with facilities in Friedrichshafen and Otto-
brunn. DASA(foundedin 1989) is a conglomerate of the previous com-
panies: Dornier, MBB (Messerschmitt---Blkow---Blohm), MTU
(Motoren--- und Turbinen---Union), and TST (Telefunken Systemtech-
nik). --- In addition, DASA is a partner in many alliances such as: Air-
bus, Ariane, Eurocopter, etc. Today, the three independent business
entities of DASAare: DASA/Airbus, DASA/DSS, and DASA/MTU. ---
As of 2000, DASA is called Astrium GmbH (see Astrium)
DASIA DAta Systems In Aerospace (a European conference organized by . . . . . . . . .
Eurospace)
DASS Distress Alerting Satellite System (a new payload to be added to the . . . . . . . . . .
next---generation GPS series --- in about 2010)
DAT Digital Audio Tape (a high---volume data recording technique, helical . . . . . . . . . . .
scan tape storage)
DAT Dynamic Area Telethermometry (a medical application of an infrared . . . . . . . . . . .
device (made possible with QWIP technology) for the detection of
breast cancer in the early stage]. The DAT---method is based on the
variationof the local skintemperature over time, whichallows todistin-
guish between malignous versus healthy subcutaneous tissue.
DATA---CHASER Distribution and Automation Technology Advancement --- Colorado
Hitchhiker and Student Experiment of Solar Radiation (Shuttle)
DAVID Data and Video Interactive Distribution (a communications demon- . . . . . . . .
stration satellite of ASI, Italy)
DBCP Data Buoy Cooperation Panel [of the Intergovernmental Oceano- . . . . . . . . .
graphic Commission (of UNESCO) and WMO]
DBF Digital Beamforming (radar antenna technique for electronic beam . . . . . . . . . . .
steering)
DBMS Database Management System . . . . . . . . .
DBS Direct Broadcasting Satellite . . . . . . . . . . .
DBSI Direct Broadcasting Satellite Industries Inc. of Mill Valley, CA . . . . . . . . . .
DC Direct Current . . . . . . . . . . . .
DCGS---IC Distributed Common Ground System---Intelligence Community [a US . . . . .
DoD initiative as of 2009 to achieve data and service interoperability
3484
for the user community --- in particular through SOA(Service Oriented
Architecture)]
DCRS Danish Center for Remote Sensing (at EMI of TUD, Lyngby, Den- . . . . . . . . .
mark)
DCRS Digital Cassette Recorder System . . . . . . . . .
DCP Data CollectionPlatform(ground segment platformfor environmental . . . . . . . . . . .
data measurement, Meteosat, GOES, GMS)
DCPI Data Collection Platform Interrogation (GOES) . . . . . . . . . .
DCS Data Collection System (NOAA--- GOES series, Meteosat series, . . . . . . . . . . .
GMS series, geostationary satellites).
DCT Discrete Cosine Transformation (compression technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
DCW Digital Chart of the World (a vector map database by DMA, Fairfax, . . . . . . . . . .
VA, USA)
DOR delta---Differential One---way Ranging. heDORtechniqueprovides . . . . . . . . .
very accurate plane---of---sky measurements of spacecraft position
which complement existing line---of---sight ranging and Doppler mea-
surements. Note: DOR is the same as VLBI.
DEBITS Deposition of Biogeochemically Important Trace Species . . . . . . .
DECAFE Dynamics andChemistry of theAtmosphere inEquatorial Forest (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
DEE Dexterous End Effector (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
DEM Digital Elevation Model (also referred to as DTM = Digital Terrain . . . . . . . . . .
Model)
DEMETER Detection of Electro---Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earth- . . . .
quake Regions (a CNES microsatellite mission withinthe programMy-
riade), M.28.1
DEOS Delft Institute for Earth---Oriented Space Research [at Delft Universi- . . . . . . . . .
ty of Technology (DUT), Delft, The Netherlands]
DEPFET DepletedP---channel FieldEffect Transistor [anAPS(Active Pixel Sen- . . . . . . .
sor) detector type]
DERA Defence Evaluation and Research Agency [Farnborough, UK, an . . . . . . . . .
agency of MoD(Ministry of Defense)]. DERAwas established in April
1995 from elements of the former RAE (Royal Aerospace Establish-
ment).
DESPA Dpartment de Recherche Spatiale de LOservatoire de Paris/Meudon . . . . . . . .
(France)
Dextre Dexterous manipulator --- a two---armed 3.5 m long device on ISS . . . . . . . . .
provided by Canada (installation on STS---123 in March 2008)
DFD Deutsches Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum (German Remote Sensing . . . . . . . . . . .
Data Center, DLR, Oberpfaffenhofen)
DFG Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (GermanNational ResearchCoun- . . . . . . . . . . .
cil)
DFH Dong Fang Hong (East is Red --- also spelling as Dongfanghong !), a . . . . . . . . . . .
Chinese communication satellite series in GEO which started with
DFH---1 (launch Apr. 24, 1970)
DFHSat DFHSatellite CoLtd., establishedin Aug. 2001 by CAST(China Acad- . . . . . . . .
emy of Space Technology), Beijing andby the China Aerospace Science
and Technology Corporation. DFH is mainly engaged in the research
and development of small satellites. Standard (LEO, MEO) platforms
like the CAST968 bus and the CAST2000 bus are part of DFH activi-
ties. The DFH---3 bus is a medium capacity 2nd generation platform
(170 kg payload) being used for communication S/C, navigation S/C as
well as for the lunar mission Change.
DFL David Florida Laboratory, Ottawa, ON, Canada. DFL is Canadas na- . . . . . . . . . . .
tional spacecraft integration and environmental test facility since 1972.
DFL is a facility of CSA (Canadian Space Agency). DFL was built on
theCRC(Communications ResearchCenter) campus inOttawa tosup-
3485
port Canadian space projects. In 1989, when the CSA was created, the
DFL became part of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
DFN Deutsches Forschungsnetz . . . . . . . . . . .
DFS Development Flight Satellite [a US DoD communication satellite . . . . . . . . . . .
constellation (Milstar) with a first launch of DFS---1 in 1994]
DFVLR Deutsche Forschungs--- und Versuchsanstalt fr Luft--- und Raumfahrt . . . . . . . .
(predecessor name of DLR from 1969 until 1989). History: In 1969
(April 1) a merger of thefollowing Germanresearchfacilities occurred,
resulting in DFVLR with HQ in Kln---Porz: AVA (Aerodynamische
Versuchsanstalt, founded 1907 in Gttingen), DFL (Deutsche For-
schungsanstalt fr Luftfahrt, founded 1936 in Braunschweig), DVL
(Deutsche Versuchsanstalt fr Luftfahrt, founded 1912 in Berlin---Ad-
lershof, after WW---II in Mhlheim---Ruhr, since the 1960s in Kln---
Porz). FFO (Flugfunkforschungsinstitut Oberpfaffenhofen), founded
in 1937, was integrated into DVL(Kln---Porz) in 1965. FFM(Flugwis-
senschaftliche Forschungsanstalt Mnchen) joined DVL in 1963.
DGA Dlgation Gnrale pour lArmement (French Arms Procurement . . . . . . . . . .
Agency, since 1977). Prior to 1977 the agency was called: DMA (D-
lgation Ministrielle pour lArmement). DGA is the heart of the
French defense system.
DGASP Dye 3 Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program (IGBP/IGAC program) . . . . . . . .
DGFI Deutsches Geodtisches Forschungsinstitut (Munich, Germany) . . . . . . . . . .
DGGTN Direction General de Geografica del Territorio Nacional (Mexico) . . . . . . .
DGLR Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Luft--- undRaumfahrt --- Lilienthal ---Oberth . . . . . . . . .
e. V., Bonn
DGON Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Ortung und Navigation (Dsseldorf, Ger- . . . . . . . . .
many --- German Institute of Navigation)
DGPF Deutsche Gesellschaft fr Photogrammetrie und Fernerkundung . . . . . . . . .
DGPS Differential GPS . . . . . . . . .
DHI Deutsches Hydrographisches Institut (Hamburg, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . .
DIAL Differential Absorption Lidar (lidar observation technique) . . . . . . . . . .
Digipeater A contraction of the words digital repeater. Digipeaters are used in . . . . . .
the amateur radio community. Store and forward digipeaters generally
receive a packet radio transmission and then retransmit it on the same
frequency, unlikerepeaters that receive onone andtransmit onanother
frequency.
DigitalGlobe Inc. Earthobservationcompany inLongmont, CO, USA. Provider of high---
resolution commercial imagery (since 2001, formerly EarthWatch).
Operator of WorldView---1 and WorldView---2 spacecraft.
In July 2012, DigitalGlobe, Inc. and GeoEye, Inc. (Dulles, VA) have
announced that the boards of directors of both companies have unan-
imously approved a definitive merger agreement under which the com-
panies will combine in a stock and cash transaction. The combined
company will be named DigitalGlobe. The combination of DigitalG-
lobe and GeoEye creates a global leader in earth imagery and geospa-
tial analysis.
6165)
--- The planned merger is expected to take place in
early 2013.
DIN Deutsches Institut fr Normung (German Institute for Standardiza- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion)
DInSAR Differential SARInterferometry. Amethod for mapping and monitor- . . . . . . .
ing centimetric ground surface deformations.
DISA Defense Information Systems Agency (Washington D.C., since 1960, . . . . . . . . . .
purchaser of commercial satellite imagery for DoD)
_____________________
6165) Digitalglobe And Geoeye Combine To Create A Global Leader, Space Daily, July 26, 2012, URL: ht-
tp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Digitalglobe_And_Geoeye_Combine_To_Create_A_Global_Lead-
er_999.html
3486
Discoverer II AUS (military) technology demonstration programof DARPA, USAF . . . .
and NRO, started in 1998, with the objective to develop a high---resolu-
tion interferometric SAR system (IFSAR) for surveillance and recon-
naissance. In 2000 the US Congress terminated the program.
DISCOS Database and Information System Characterizing Objects in Space . . . . . . .
(ESA/ESOC database for space debris and meteoroids, since 1990)
DIVA Deutsches Interferometer fr Vierkanalphotometrie und Astronomie . . . . . . . . . .
(German Interferometer for Four---channel ---photometriy andAstron-
omy), DIVA is a microsatellite within the ESA Horizon program
DLR Deutsches Zentrum fr Luft--- und Raumfahrt e.V. (German Aero- . . . . . . . . . . .
space Center, with HQ in Kln; DLR is also the German Space
Agency). On Oct. 1, 1997 DARAwas re---integrated into DLR. Prior to
Oct.1.1997 the meaning of DLR was: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fr
Luft--- und Raumfahrt e.V.
DLR/DFD DLR/Deutsches Fernerkundungsdatenzentrum (German Remote . . . . . .
Sensing Data Center), Oberpfaffenhofen and Neustrelitz
DLR/FB DLR/Flugbereitschaft (aircraft operations; FBprovides the services of . . . . . . .
flying sensors for other institutes of DLR)
DLR/GfR DLR/Gesellschaft fr Raumfahrtanwendungen. GfR is a company of . . . . . .
DLRhaving its seat at the Galileo Control Center (GCC---D) in Ober-
pfaffenhofen, Germany.
DLR/GSOC DLR/German Space Operations Center, Oberpfaffenhofen . . . .
DLR/ICN DLR/Institute of Communication and Navigation, Oberpfaffenhofen . . . . . .
DLR/IOE DLR/Institut fr Optoelektronik (Institute of Optoelectronics), Berlin . . . . . .
DLR/IPA DLR/Institut Physik der Atmosphre (Institute of Atmospheric . . . . . . .
Physics), Oberpfaffenhofen
DLR/HR DLR/Institut fr Hochfrequenztechnik und Radar (Microwave and . . . . . . .
Radar Technology Institute, Oberpfaffenhofen)
DLR/IRM DLR/ Institut fr Robotik und Mechatronik (Institute of Robotics and . . . . . .
Mechatronics), Oberpfaffenhofen
DLR/ISST DLR/Institut fr Weltraumsensorik (Institute of Space Sensor Tech- . . . . . .
nology and Planetary Exploration, Berlin---Adlershof). There is also
the abbreviation: DLR/IWS
DLR/MUSC DLR/Microgravity User Support Center (Cologne, Germany) . . . .
DMA Defense Mapping Agency (Fairfax, VA, USA, mapping, charting & . . . . . . . . . .
geodetic products & services to the military, since 1972 --- since 1996
DMA is an integral part of NIMA)
DMA Direct Memory Access . . . . . . . . . .
DMC Disaster Monitoring Constellation (a 5 S/C constellation constructed . . . . . . . . . .
and coordinated by SSTL, UK)
DMCii DMC International Imaging Ltd. In 2004, SSTL set up the company . . . . . . . . .
DMCii at SSTL that manages the Disaster Monitoring Constellation
for the International Charter for Space and Major Disasters.
DMCii is supported by all members of the DMC consortium, to main-
tain a central catalog of the DMC constellation and to coordinate re-
quests for imagery in particular to cover rapid response imagery ser-
vices after disaster events. DMCii also sells satellite imaging services
under contract.
DMI Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut (Danish Meteorological Institute, . . . . . . . . . . .
founded in 1872) Copenhagen, Denmark
DMN Direction de la Mtorologie National (France) . . . . . . . . . .
DMOS Diffusive Mixing of Organic Solutions (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
DMS Dimethylsulphide . . . . . . . . . .
DMSP Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (USA), G.1 . . . . . . . . .
DND Department of National Defense (Canada) . . . . . . . . . .
Dnepr Russian/Ukrainianlaunchvehicle for satellites. As part of a nuclear dis- . . . . . . . . .
armament agreement, former Soviet SS---18 ICBMs (Intercontinental
3487
Ballistic Missiles), were renamed to Dnepr. They are either being used
for commercial launches, or must be destroyed by Dec. 31, 2007. Com-
mercial Dnepr launches are being conducted by ISC (International
Space Company) Kosmotras of Moscow, Russia. The first launch of
Dnepr took place in April 1999 with the UoSat---12 payload.
DNSC Danish National Space Center, Copenhagen, Denmark (founded in . . . . . . . . .
Jan. 2005) a new research center under the Ministry of Science,
Technology and Innovation. As of Jan. 2005, DNSC has taken over all
the responsibilities of DSRI.
DOAS Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy . . . . . . . . .
DOC Department of Commerce (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
DOC Dissolved Organic Carbon . . . . . . . . . .
DoD Department of Defense (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
DOE Department of Energy (USA). Some major laboratories of DOE are: . . . . . . . . . .
ANL (Argonne National Laboratory), Argonne IL
BNL (Brookhaven National Laboratory), Upton, NY
FNAL (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory), Batavia, IL
LANL (Los Alamos National Laboratory), Los Alamos, NM
LBL (Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory), Berkeley, CA
LLNL (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), Livermore, CA
ORNL(Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Oak Ridge, TN(since 1948)
PNL (Pacific Northwest Laboratory), Richland, WA
SLAC (Stanford Linear Accelerator Center), Stanford, CA
SNL(Sandia National Laboratory), Albuquerque, NMandLivermore,
CA
DODGE Department of Defense Gravity Experiment (M.10) . . . . . . .
DOI Digital Object Identifier (a systemfor identifying and exchanging intel- . . . . . . . . . . .
lectual property in the digital environment as defined in the Interna-
tional DOI Foundation)
DOM Dissolved Organic Matter (in particular in ocean color measurements) . . . . . . . . . .
DOP Dilution of Precision --- or Geometric Dilution of Precision (GDOP) is . . . . . . . . . . .
a GPS term used in geomatic engineering to describe the geometric
strength of satellite configuration on GPS accuracy.
DORIS Determination Orbite Radiopositionnement Integres Satellite (CNES . . . . . . . .
tracking system for the measurement of precision orbits); another
name convention is: Doppler Orbitography and Radiopositioning Inte-
grated by Satellite, see H.8.1
DoT Department of Transportation (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
DPCA Displaced Phase Center Antenna (SAR/radar technique) . . . . . . . . .
DPCM Differential Pulse Code Modulation (compression technique) . . . . . . . . .
DQPSK Differential Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . .
DRA Defence Research Agency [Malvern, Farnborough, etc., UK, with over . . . . . . . . . .
6000 employees; DRAwas established in 1991, it is the successor orga-
nization of RAE (Royal Aerospace Establishment), ARE (Admiralty
ResearchEstablishment), RARDE(Royal Armament Research &De-
velopment Establishment), and RSRE(Royal Signal and Radar Estab-
lishment)]. As of April 1995 DRA was regrouped again and integrated
as a division into DERA (Defense Evaluation and Research Agency).
Another DERA reorganization in April 1997 dissolved DRAaltogeth-
er.
DRAM Dynamic RandomAccess Method; DDR---RAM(Double Data Rate--- . . . . . . . . .
Random Access Method)
Draper Lab Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Inc. of Cambridge, MA. An MIT lab . . . . .
founded in the 1930s; an independent non---profit research lab since
1973. Focus on GN&C (Guidance, Navigation & Control) technolo-
gies.
DRB Defense Research Board, Canada . . . . . . . . . . .
3488
DRDC Defense Research and Development Canada (an agency of the Cana- . . . . . . . . .
dian Department of Defense)
DREO Defense Research Establishment, Ottawa, Canada . . . . . . . . .
DRI Desert Research Institute (of the University of Nevada) . . . . . . . . . . .
DRPM Dynamic Reconfigurable Processing Module . . . . . . . . .
DRS Data Relay Satellite (ESA system to relay information from the Euro- . . . . . . . . . . .
pean space plane)
DRTS Data Relay Technology Satellite (Japan, Ka---band transmission) . . . . . . . . . .
DS4G Dual ---Stage 4---Grid ion thruster (as of 2006, a new ion thruster . . . . . . . . . .
technology of ESA)
DSB Double Sideband . . . . . . . . . . .
DSCOVR Deep Space Climate Observatory (an approved NASA mission, pre- . . . . . .
viously named as Triana)
DSCS---III Defense Satellite Communications System---3. DSCSis a military satel- . . . . . .
lite constellation of DoD(USA) placedin geosynchronous orbit topro-
vide high---volume, secure voice and data communications. The Air
Force began launching the DSCS---III in 1982 (launch of the DSCS---
III---F1 took place Oct. 30, 1982). The DSCS---III series satellites
employ SHF (Super---High Frequency) communications on a global
scale (six SHF transponder channels). With DSCS---III---B6 (launch
Aug. 29, 2003), the DSCS constellation contains 14 spacecraft, built by
Lockheed Martin. Each DSCS S/C has a design life of 10 years.
As of Feb. 2009, the DSCSconstellationhas surpassed 200 years of on---
orbit operations, the longest total operational experience of any U.S.
military communications satellite constellation.
DSL Digital Subscriber Line. The DSL technology is a modem technology . . . . . . . . . . .
that uses existing twisted---pair telephone lines to transport high---
bandwidth data, such as multimedia and video, to service subscribers.
DSM Digital Surface Model (processing of imagery) . . . . . . . . . .
DSN Deep Space Network (NASA/JPL). DSN operates a network of three . . . . . . . . . . .
complexes aroundthe world(Goldstone, CA; Madrid, Span; Canberra,
Australia) that permit continuous coverage of solar system spacecraft
and their critical mission events.
DSNU Dark Signal Non---Uniformity (DSNU is the standard deviation of the . . . . . . . . .
mean pixel value across an array of pixels)
DSP Defense Support Program (USA, DoD S/C series in GEO using in- . . . . . . . . . . .
frared sensors to detect missile plumes against the Earths background,
todetect andreport missile launches, space launches, andnuclear deto-
nations) DSP S/C operate since the 1970s.
DSP Digital Signal Processor (computer, technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
DSP Double Star Project, China, see K.10 . . . . . . . . . . .
DSRI Danish Space Research Institute (Lyngby, Copenhagen, Denmark), . . . . . . . . . .
since 1968 [Note: in Jan. 2005 DRSI changed its name to DNSC(Dan-
ish National Space Center), and in January 2007 it became DTUSpace,
an institute at the Technical University of Denmark].
DSS Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH (of DASA, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . .
DSS Delft Sensor Systems (provider of optoelectronic instruments). DSS . . . . . . . . . . .
has been created by the integration of OIP (Optronic Instruments &
Products), locatedinOudenaarde, Belgium --- andDIEO(Delft Instru-
ments Electro---Optics, located in the Netherlands
DSS Digital Sun Sensor (based on CCD or CMOS Active Pixel Sensor . . . . . . . . . . .
technology)
DSSP Danish Small Satellite Program . . . . . . . . . .
DSSS Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (communication technique). DSSS . . . . . . . . . .
allows multiple users to share the same bandwidth.
D---STAR Digital Smart Technologies for Amateur Radio(anewstandarddevelo- . . . . . .
ped in Japan)
3489
DSX Deployable Structures Experiment (mission of USAF planned for . . . . . . . . . . .
2006)
DTE Digital Terrain Elevation . . . . . . . . . . .
DTED---2 Digital Terrain Elevation Data Level 2. DTED---2 is the current basic . . . . . .
high resolution elevation data source for all military activities and sys-
tems that require landform, slope, elevation, and/or terrain roughness
in a digital format. DTED---2 is a uniform gridded matrix of terrain el-
evation values with post spacing of one arc second (approximately 30
m).
DTM Digital Terrain Model (also referred to as DEM = Digital Elevation . . . . . . . . . .
Model)
DTM94 Drag Temperature Model 1994 (an empirical thermospheric model to . . . . . . . .
determine the drag forces of a spacecraft for reentry analysis)
DTMF Dual Tone Multi ---Frequency (encoding technique) . . . . . . . . .
DTN Delay/Disruption Tolerant Networking. DTN is an end---to---end net- . . . . . . . . . . .
work architecture designed to provide communication in and/or
through highly stressed networking environments. DTN networks are
characterized by intermittent connectivity, long delays and non---con-
temporaneous end to end paths.
Note: DTN is also referred to as Disjoint/delay Tolerant Networking
DTP Digital Transparent Processor (a key technology for payloads). DTPs . . . . . . . . . . .
are particularly well ---suited for routing channels or subchannels with
fine bandwidth granularity in telecommunication missions with mul-
tiple---beam antenna coverage, and offer reconfiguration flexibility
when mission reorientation is needed. --- DTPs with additional digital
beamforming (DBF) functionality will collect and handle digital
samples of the electromagnetic waves from many antenna array ele-
ments.
DTU Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (Technical University of Denmark), . . . . . . . . . .
Lyngby, Denmark
DUT Delft University of Technology (Delft, The Netherlands) . . . . . . . . . .
DVB Digital Video Broadcast [a broadcast standard first introduced the mid . . . . . . . . . . .
1990s by the communication industry for TV broadcasting. The DVB
project quickly expanded to include multimedia applications as well as
television. Data standards (DVB---IP and other protocols) were estab-
lished in 1997.] Asingle DVBcarrier may contain multiple logical data
channels, or PIDs, thereby allowing multiple data streams to be logical-
ly multiplexed on a single DVBcarrier and decoded for distribution on
a site LAN.
DVB---ASI DVB---ASI (Asynchronous Serial Interface) . . . . . .
DVB---IP DVB---IP (Internet Protocol) . . . . . . .
DVB---H Digital Video Broadcast---Handheld (as of late 2007 an EU---wide pro- . . . . . . .
posed standard for mobile TV services)
DVB---RCS Digital Video Broadcast --- ReturnChannel via Satellite (DVB---RCSis . . . . .
an open standard for user terminals)
DVB---S DVB---Satellite . . . . . . . .
DVD Digital Versatile Disk [some standard DVD formats are: DVD---5 (4.7 . . . . . . . . . .
GByte storage capacity, one layer per disk), DVD---9 (8.5 GByte, two
layers per disk on one side, one layer is semi ---permeable), DVD---10
(9.4 GByte, one layer per side and disk), DVD---18 (17 GByte, two lay-
ers per side and disk, one layer per side is semi ---permeable)]
DWD Deutscher Wetterdienst [GermanWeather Service, with sevenforecast . . . . . . . . . .
centers in Offenbach (HQ), Hamburg, Potsdam, Leipzig, Essen, Stutt-
gart, and Munich]. DWD employs over 3000 people in over 150 locali-
ties throughout Germany.
DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (a network technique) . . . . . . . .
3490
DWL Doppler Wind Lidar (a active laser instrument based either on co- . . . . . . . . . .
herent heterodyne receiver technology or on incoherent direct receiver
technology)
DWSS Defense Weather Satellite System. A new observation system of the . . . . . . . . .
USAFwhichwas plannedafter cancellationof theNPOESSprogramin
Feb. 2010. However, DWSS was cancelled in Jan. 2012 due to budget-
ary problems.
6166)
DYCOMS Dynamics and Chemistry of Marine Stratocumulus Experiment (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
E
EA Environment Agency (of Japan) . . . . . . . . . . . .
EADS N. V. European Aeronautic, Defense and Space company, registered in Am- . . . . .
sterdam, The Netherlands. EADS is a holding company of DASAanda
French pool group with Lagardre as the major partner. Merger an-
nouncement of DASA (Germany) and Aerospatiale Matra S. A.
(France) in Oct. 1999 --- the merger was realized July 10, 2000 with
DASA, Aerospatiale Matra, and CASA (Construcciones Aeronuticas
SA) of Madrid, Spain. The following units are part of EADS: 1) EADS
Space (France, Germany, UK and Spain), 2) EADS Astrium (France,
Germany, UK, Spain), 3) EADS Space Transportation (France, Ger-
many), 4) EADS CASA Espacio (ECE, Madrid, Spain, 5) EADS Sod-
ern (Limeil ---Brvannes, France), 6) EADS Space Services (Paris,
Portsmouth, Stevenage, Ottobrunn)
EAP Electro---active Polymer. EAP is a shape---changing light---weight ma- . . . . . . . . . . .
terial. An EAP changes its shape and size in response to an electric
stimulus.
EARLINET European Aerosol Research LIdar NETwork (since 2000), a coordin- . . . .
atednetwork of ground---basedlidar stations for thevertical profilingof
aerosols at continental long---term scale
EarlyBird Commercial imaging satellite . . . . . . .
EARS EUMETSAT ATOVS Retransmission Service (started in 2002) . . . . . . . . .
EARSC European Association of Remote Sensing Companies, (Brussels, Bel- . . . . . . . .
gium, since 1989). EARSCis a non---profit organizationto foster devel-
opment of the European Geo---Information Service Industry and to
stimulate a sustainable market for Geo---information services.
EARSEC European Airborne Remote Sensing Capabilities [program since 1990 . . . . . . .
between CEC (JRC in Ispra, Italy) and ESA]
EARSeL European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories (since 1976) . . . . . . .
EarthCARE Earth Clouds Aerosol and Radiation Explorer (a proposed ESA core . . . .
mission)
EarthKAM EarthKnowledge Acquiredby Middle school students (a NASAeduca- . . . . .
tion program, PI: Sally Ride, UCSD). The camera program started in
1996 as KidSat on Shuttle flight STS---76. EarthKAM was taken on-
board the ISS with STS---98 (Feb. 7---21, 2001) and installed on ISS as
ISS EarthKAM. EarthKAM photographs are taken by remote opera-
tionfromthe ground. Since 1996, EarthKAMstudents have takenthou-
sands of photographs of Earth.
EARTHNET ESA Program since 1977. Earthnet refers to an ESA organization re- . . . .
sponsible for the ground segment of Earth Observation. Functions: ac-
quisition, archiving and distribution of Earth science data.
EarthScope A US integrated initiative and a US national program to explore the . . . . .
structure andevolution of the NorthAmerican continent and the physi-
cal processes controlling its earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
_____________________
6166) Warren Ferster, U.S. Air Force Draws Final Curtain on DWSS Program, Space News, Jan. 24, 2012, URL: ht-
tp://spacenews.com/military/air--- force--- draws--- final--- curtain--- dwss.html
3491
EarthWatch Inc. A US Earth observation company in Longmont, CO. EarthWatch was .
formed in January 1995 and is a joint venture of Ball Aerospace &
Technologies Inc. and WorldView Imaging Corporation (builder of
EarlyBird and QuickBird). In October 2001 EarthWatch was renamed
to DigitalGlobe Inc.
Earth Watch ESA program [these are the operational (or pre---operational) ser- . . . .
vice---oriented missions addressing specific application areas of Eu-
rope]. The Earth Watch missions are operational ESA missions and
represent first steps of service provision. They have to be driven by op-
erational users and be sustainable in the long termwithout ESAfinan-
cial support. They aretobedevelopedinpartnershipwithEUMETSAT
or other agencies or public entities such as the EC, or with industry or
commercial ventures. The Earth Watch Initiative started in 2001 with
the goal to secure for Europe an independent sustainable capability in
operational Earth observation. The Copernicus (formerly GMES) ini-
tiate fits into Earth Watch.
EASAC European Academies Science Advisory Council . . . . . . . .
EASC European Air and Space Conference . . . . . . . . . .
EASE Experimental Assembly of Structures in Extravehicular Activity . . . . . . . . . .
(Shuttle)
EASOE European Arctic Stratospheric Ozone Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
EBCCD Electron---bombarded CCD array . . . . . . . .
EBL Extragalactic background Light, or simply EGB (ExtraGalactic Back- . . . . . . . . . . .
ground) is the faint diffuse light of the night sky, consisting of the com-
bined flux of all extragalactic sources. Its main significance for astro-
nomers is that it contains information regarding the history and forma-
tion of other galaxies, and also the large---scale structure of the uni-
verse.
EC European Commission (since 1995: CEU (Commission of the Euro- . . . . . . . . . . . .
pean Union)
ECBAQ Entropy Constrained Block Adaptive Quantization . . . . . . . .
ECD Electron Capture Detector . . . . . . . . . . .
ECLIPS Experimental Cloud Lidar Pilot Study (campaign) . . . . . . . .
ECMWF European Centre for Medium---Range Weather Forecasts (located in . . . . . . .
Reading, UK, founded in 1973). ECMWF is an international organiza-
tion supported by the following European states: Austria, Belgium,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Nether-
lands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United
Kingdom. ECMWF has working arrangements with WMO, EUMET-
SATandACMAD(AfricanCentre for Meteorological Applications for
Development).
ECS EOSDIS Core System (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
ECSS European Cooperation for Space Standards (ESA) . . . . . . . . . .
EDA European Defence Agency (since July 2004). EDA is an Agency of the . . . . . . . . . . .
European Union (EU) with HQs in Brussels, Belgium.
EDAC Earth Data Analysis Center (NASAcontractor center at the University . . . . . . . . .
of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, since 1964)
EDAC Error Detection and Correction (information processing term) . . . . . . . . .
EDC EROS Data Center of the US Geological Survey (Sioux Falls, SD, . . . . . . . . . . .
DAAC of NASA EOS Program for Land Processes)
FDE Fault DetectionandExclusion[capability of GPSto: 1) detect asatellite . . . . . . . . . . .
failure which effects navigation; and 2) automatically exclude that sat-
ellite from the navigation solution]
EDI Electronic Data Interchange, (Format Specificationaccording toANSI . . . . . . . . . . .
Standard X.12; (an existing but non---ISO Protocol)
EDIFACT Electronic Data Interchange for Administration, Commerce, and . . . . . .
Transport
EDLC Electric Double Layer Capacitor . . . . . . . . .
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EDO Extended Duration Orbiter (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
EDOS Earth Observing System Data Operations System (a multimission . . . . . . . . .
high---rate system of NASA, since 1999). TDRSS mission support for
Terra, ALOS, Aqua, Aura, EO---1, ICESat, etc.)
EEA European Environment Agency (since 1990, located in Copenhagen . . . . . . . . . . .
since 1993, Denmark)
EECF Earthnet ERS---1 Central Facility (ESA facility at ESRIN, Italy) . . . . . . . . . .
EEGS Environmental and Engineering Geophysical Society . . . . . . . . .
E---ELT European Extremely Large Telescope, will be the largest ground--- . . . . . . . .
based telescope of ESO (European Southern Observatory) in Chile.
E---ELT features a 42 m filled aperture collector (a 5 mirror anastig-
matic optical system) with exquisite image quality thanks to aninternal
adaptive optics corrector, and large platforms for putting on---line a
dedicated set of powerful post---focal instruments.
In April 2010, the ESO Council selected Cerro Armazones as the
baseline site. CerroArmazones is a mountainat analtitude of 3060 min
the central part of Chiles Atacama Desert. The final go---ahead for
construction is expected at the endof 2010. Completion of the project is
expected in the time frame 2018.
EELV Extended Envelope Launch Vehicle [US Air Force launcher; launch of . . . . . . . . . .
first EELV mission on Mar. 11, 2003 (Delta---4M launch vehicle from
Cape Canaveral, FLA), a military communications satellite, A3 pay-
load, on Boeings DSCS---III (Defense Satellite Communications Sys-
tem) platform]
EEP Earth Explorer Program (ESA). Earth Explorer missions are designed . . . . . . . . . . .
to address critical and specific issues that have been raised by the sci-
ence community whilst demonstrating breakthrough technology in ob-
serving techniques. Some approved Earth Explorer missions are: Cryo-
Sat, GOCE, SMOS, ADM---Aeolus, Swarm and EarthCARE.
EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read---Only Memory . . . . . .
EETFI European Environmental Test Facility Inventory. EEFTI is a search- . . . . . . . . .
able web---baseddatabase of Europeanspace environmental test facili-
ties.
EEV English Electric Valve, Chelmsford, UK (manufacturer of detectors) . . . . . . . . . . .
EEVT Electrophoresis Equipment Verification Test (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . .
EFDA European Fusion Development Agreement . . . . . . . . .
EFEDA European Field Experiment in Desertification---threatened Areas . . . . . . . .
(campaign)
EFTF European Frequency and Time Forum. EFTF is an international con- . . . . . . . . . .
ference and exhibition, providing information on recent advances and
trends of scientific research and industrial development in the fields of
Frequency and Time.
e.g. abbreviation (Latin: exempli gratia) for example . . . . . . . . . . . .
e---GEOS An international geospatial company of ASI (Italian Space Agency, . . . . . .
20%) and Telespazio (80%) providing optical and radar imagery on a
commercial basis. e---GEOS and its subsidiary GAF/Euromap operate
their owndata processing services at the EarthObservation Space Cen-
ters of Matera, Italy (radar and optical) and Neustrelitz, Germany (op-
tical). Multiple satellites are received and processed in these two hubs,
also for near---real ---time monitoring (Matera).
EGPM European Global Precipitation Measurement (a contribution to the . . . . . . . . .
GPM project of NASA and NASDA
EGM96 Earth Gravity Model 1996 (developed at NASA/GSFC, NIMA, and . . . . . . . .
Ohio State University). It is based on surface gravity data, altimeter---
derived gravity anomalies from ERS---1 and from GEOSAT, extensive
satellite tracking data (GPS, TDRSS, DORIS, TRANET), and direct
altimeter ranges from TOPEX/POSEIDON, ERS---1, and GEOSAT.
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EGNOS European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (planned ESA . . . . . . . .
complementary systemto GPS and GLONASS to provide Europe with
GPS/GLONASS service availability, continuity and signal integrity)
EGS Energia GPI (Georgian Polytechnical Intellect) Space, [a Russian--- . . . . . . . . . . .
Georgian company in Korolev (Moscow region), Russia and in Tbilisi,
Georgia]. EGS was founded in 1999 by Rocket Space Corporation
(RSC) Energia, referredtoas S.P.A. EGS, andthe company Georgian
Polytechnical Intellect, Ltd, referred to as EGS Ltd. EGS is an expert
in large---scale deployable structures.
EGS European Geophysical Society (since 1971) . . . . . . . . . . .
EGS---CC European Ground Systems Common Core (a strategic initiative in . . . . . .
2012). EGS---CC is a collaboration of European prime industry and
space agencies to develop a common core (AstriumSatellites, Astrium
Space Transportation, Thales Alenia (France and Italy), OHBSystem,
ESA (ESTEC and ESOC), CNES, DLR)
EGS Experimental Geodetic Satellite of NASDA, (Ajisai) . . . . . . . . . . .
EGU Europen Geosciences Union (since 2002) . . . . . . . . . .
EHF Extremely High Frequency (30 --- 300 GHz band) . . . . . . . . . . .
EHIC Energetic Heavy Ion Composition Experiment . . . . . . . . . .
EIROforum A forum of European Intergovernmental Research Organizations . . . .
(since 2002). EIROforumis made up of 7 of Europes leading intergov-
ernmental research organizations: CERN (particle physics), EMBL
(molecular biology), ESA (space activities), ESO (astronomy and as-
trophysics), ESRF (synchrotron radiation), ILL (neutron source) and
EFDA (fusion).
EIRP Effective Isotropic Radiated Power . . . . . . . . . .
EISAC European Imaging Spectrometry Aircraft Campaign (1989---90) . . . . . . . . .
EISCAT European Incoherent Scatter Radar . . . . . . . .
EIT Electro---bombardment Ion Thruster (electric propulsion system of . . . . . . . . . . . .
MMS, France)
EIT Electromagnetically Induced Transparency . . . . . . . . . . . .
EKOSat ELOP---KARI---OHB Satellite . . . . . . . .
ELAC European Lidar Airborne Campaign . . . . . . . . .
ELaNa Education Launch of Nanosatellite (NASA initiative of 2010 to foster . . . . . . . . .
CubeSat launch opportunities)
ELDO European Launcher Development Organization (since 1962) ELDO . . . . . . . . .
is, along with ESRO, a predecessor organization of ESA
ELDP European Lake Drilling Project (campaign under PANASH) . . . . . . . . . .
ELF Extremely Low Frequency (30 --- 3000 Hz) . . . . . . . . . . .
ELINT Electronic Intelligence (used in the context of DoD missions) . . . . . . . . .
ELITE European LITE (campaign) LITE = Lidar In---space Technology Ex- . . . . . . . . .
periment (Shuttle payload)
ELOISE European Land---Ocean Interaction Studies (campaign) . . . . . . .
El ---Op El ---Op Electro---Optics Industries of Rehovot, Israel (as of 2000 El --- . . . . . . . . .
Op is part of Elbit Systems Ltd. of Haifa, Israel)
ELRAD Earth---Limb Radiance Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
E---ELT European Extremely Large Telescope (ground---based telescope of . . . . . . . .
ESOin the Atacama Desert of Chile). The E---ELT, with an aperture of
40 m for the main mirror, will start operations in the timeframe 2020.
ELT---121.5 Emergency Locator Transmitter (see COSPAS---S&RSAT, I.11) . . . . .
ELVES Emission of Light and Very Low Frequency Perturbations From Elec- . . . . . . . . .
tromagnetic Pulse Sources (lightning phenomenon, a flash of millisec-
ond lifetime)
EMAC European Multi ---Sensor Airborne Campaign (in the framework of . . . . . . . . .
ESA/JRC collaboration)
EMBL European Molecular Biology Laboratory . . . . . . . . .
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EMBRAER Empresa Brasileira de Astronautica SA (aircraft and space payload . . . .
manufacturer, Sa Jos dos Campos, SP, Brazil)
EMC Electromagnetic Compatibility . . . . . . . . . .
EMCCD Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Device (as of 2003, a new and . . . . . . .
more sensitive CCD detector technology)
EMEX Equatorial Mesoscale Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
EMF Electromotive Force . . . . . . . . . .
EMFF Electromagnetic Formation Flight (a proposed concept of actuating . . . . . . . . .
multiple spacecraft inrelativedegrees of freedomusingelectromagnet-
ic forces and reaction wheels)
EMI Electromagnetic Interference . . . . . . . . . . .
EMP Electromagnetic Pulse . . . . . . . . . . .
EMS EMS Technologies, Inc. (since 1968), Atlanta, GA, USA, provider of . . . . . . . . . .
space communications equipment (first beam---forming network for
the DSCS communication satellites of DoD in 1976 --- thus providing
electronic antenna steering); EMShas alsoa major facility inMontreal,
Canada
EMSA European Maritime Safety Agency (Lisboa, Portugal). EMSA was es- . . . . . . . . .
tablished by the EU in 2003.
EMSL Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory (Las Vegas, NV, EPA . . . . . . . . .
facility)
EMWIN Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (of the GOES . . . . . . .
S/C series). EMWIN is a dissemination system (and service) used to
provide timely dissemination of warnings, watches, graphics, and other
hydro meteorological products to emergency managers with minimal
equipment cost to them.
ENA Energetic Neutral Atoms [neutral atoms or molecules created by . . . . . . . . . . .
charge exchange between energetic ions (such as the Earths radiation
belts) and a cold neutral gas (such as the Earths exosphere)]
ENEA Ente per le Nuove tecnologie lEnergia e lAmbiente (Rome, Italy) . . . . . . . . .
ENSO El Nio Southern Oscillation . . . . . . . . .
ENVISAT Environmental Satellite (ESA, see D.13) . . . . . .
EO Earth Observation . . . . . . . . . . . .
EO---1 Earth Observing---1 (NASA S/C) . . . . . . . . .
EOCAP NASAs Earth Observations Commercial Applications Program, since . . . . . . . .
1987 (NASAs intent is to commercialize remote sensing technology
originally developed to support scientific exploration)
EOL End of Life . . . . . . . . . . .
EOPP Earth Observation Preparatory Programme (of ESA) . . . . . . . . . .
EORF Environment Measurements by the Real ---Time Radiation Monitor . . . . . . . . .
(Shuttle payload)
EOS Earth Observing System (NASA), D.15 . . . . . . . . . . .
EOS European Optical Society . . . . . . . . . . .
EOSAT Earth Observation Satellite Company (Commercial distributor of . . . . . . . .
Landsat imaging data, located in Lanham, MD, since 1985, EOSATis a
joint venture of LockheedMartinandHughes Aircraft). Space Imaging
Inc. (since 1994) of Thornton, CO of LM and E---Systems, acquired
EOSAT in 1995. The new company was subsequently renamed into:
Space Imaging EOSAT [distributor of IKONOS imagery, ERS---1/2,
JERSandRadarsat data (USA), global distributor of IRS---1C/Dimag-
ery]. Since 1998 the company name is: Space Imaging. The owners of
Space Imaging are: LM, E---Systems (of RaytheonCo, Lexington, MA),
Mitsubishi, Vander Horst (Singapore), Halla Heavy Industries (Ko-
rea).
EOSDIS EOS Data and Information System . . . . . . .
EP Electric Propulsion (of spacecraft) . . . . . . . . . . . .
EPA Environmental Protection Agency (USA, since 1970) . . . . . . . . . . .
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EPFL Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland. As of 2012, the . . . . . . . . . .
EPFL Space Center was renamed to Swiss Space Center
EPIRB Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (on COSPAS and . . . . . . . . .
S&RSAT payloads)
EPOCS Equatorial Pacific Ocean Climate Studies (campaign) . . . . . . . .
EPOCS European Committee on Ocean and Polar Sciences . . . . . . . .
EPOP European Polar Platform (old name, now POEM) . . . . . . . . . .
EPOS European Proximity Operations Sensor (ESA test of GPS Tensor re- . . . . . . . . . .
ceivers and an optical rendezvous sensor for Shuttle---Mir docking ma-
neuvers on STS---84 and STS---86)
EPS Earth, Planets and Space (journal, since 1998). EPS is the continuation . . . . . . . . . . .
of the Journal of Geomagnetismand Geoelectricity and the Journal
of Physics of the Earth
EPS EUMETSAT Polar System . . . . . . . . . . .
EQM Engineering Qualification Model . . . . . . . . . .
Equator---S Solar Terrestrial Mission (K.11) . . . . .
ER---2 Extended Range U---2 (US research aircraft of NASA/ARC) . . . . . . . . .
ERA European Robotic Arm, built by Dutch Space as prime contractor, . . . . . . . . . . .
(joint ESAand Roskosmos contribution to ISS; installation of the 11 m
long robotic arm is planned for 2009). ERA will be part of the Russian
MLM (Multi ---purpose Laboratory Module)
ERB Earth Radiation Budget . . . . . . . . . . .
ERB Erasmus Recording Binocular (an ESA 3D video camera flown on the . . . . . . . . . . .
ISS since Feb. 2010)
ERBS Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (NASA), A.16 . . . . . . . . . .
ERC32 Embedded Real ---time computing Core --- 32 bit. ERC32 is an ESA--- . . . . . . . . .
sponsored radiation---tolerant processor developed for space applica-
tions [ERC32 is a variation on the SPARC (V, 32---bit, RISC, 10 Mips)
architecture]. The ERC32consists of: IU(Integer Unit), FPU(Floating
Point Unit), and MEC (Memory Controller). All three devices are
manufacturedby Temic/MHSona 0.8mmCMOS/EPI radiation---toler-
ant technology. A single---chip version of the ERC32 is available as of
2001: ERC32SC/TSC695E of ATMEL Wireless and Microcontrollers,
Nantes, France.
ERG Energization and Radiation in Geospace (a mission under develop- . . . . . . . . . .
ment at JAXA/ISAS --- for launch in 2013)
ERICA Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (cam- . . . . . . . .
paign)
ERIM Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (HQ in Ann Arbor, . . . . . . . . .
MI). ERIMis a nonprofit contract research organization in the field of
remote sensing. In May 1997, ERIM was transformed into a profit---
seeking company and changed its name to ERIMInternational. His-
tory: The Willow Run Laboratories were founded in 1947. In 1973 the
WillowRunLaboratories teamseparatedfromthe University of Michi-
gan and became ERIM. --- In 2000 ERIM International Inc. became
part of Veridian Systems, the new company is called: Veridian ERIM
International
EROS Earth Resources Observation Systems (Data Center of USGS in Sioux . . . . . . . . .
Falls, SD, archive for Landsat and other data)
EROS Earth Remote Observation System (P.91) . . . . . . . . .
ERS---1,2 European Remote Sensing Satellite (ESA program), D.17 and D.18 . . . . . . .
ERS Earth Resource Satellite . . . . . . . . . . .
ERSDAC Earth Remote Sensing Data Analysis Center (Tokyo, Japan, a non--- . . . . . . .
profit organization in the areas of instrument calibration---validation
and data applications, since 1981)
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ERTS---1 Earth Resources Technology Satellite (NASA satellite, in 1975 . . . . . . .
ERTS---1 was renamed to Landsat---1 and the entire ERTS program
was renamed to Landsat)
ESA European Space Agency (since 1975), ESA---HQ in Paris (ESA mem- . . . . . . . . . . .
ber states are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic (since 2008), Den-
mark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,
and the United Kingdom(UK). Poland became the 20th ESAmember
state in Sept. 2012.
6167)
Canada participates in some projects under
long---term cooperation agreements (over 30 years).
European cooperating states are: Estonia, Hungary, and Slovenia.
Cooperation agreements with ESA: Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Slova-
kia, Israel.
ESAC Earth Sciences Advisory Committee (ESA) . . . . . . . . . .
ESA/EAC ESA/European Astronaut Centre, ESA facility at Cologne, Germany . . . . . .
ESA/ESAC ESA/European Space Astronomy Centre, ESA facility in Villafranca, . . . . .
Spain (since 2004). ESAC is located about 30 km west of Madrid. The
Spanish National Centre for ESAs SMOS (Soil Moisture and Ocean
Salinity) mission will be located at ESAC (launch of SMOS in 2008).
ESAC was officially opened in Feb. 2008.
ESA/ESOC ESA/European Space Operation Centre (ESA facility in Darmstadt, . . . . .
Germany)
ESA/ESRIN ESA/European Space Research Institute (ESA facility, Frascati, Italy) . . . .
ESA/ESTEC ESA/European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA facility . . . .
in Noordwijk, Netherlands)
ESA---IRS ESA --- Information Retrieval Service (online database at ESRIN) . . . . . .
ESA/PB---EO ESA/Programme Board --- Earth Observation . . .
ESCAP (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia andthe Pacific, Bang- . . . . . . . .
kok, Thailand
ESCAPE Experiment of the Sun for Complementing the ATLAS Payload and for . . . . . . .
Education (Shuttle Payload)
ESCC European Space Components Coordination (a standardization body, . . . . . . . . . .
since Oct. 2002, signed by ESA, CNES, DLR, BNSC, ASI and Euro-
space on behalf of the user industries); ESCC secretariat at ESTEC
ESCCON European Space Components Conference . . . . . . .
ESDE Earth Science Decadal Survey (a NASA mission series under develop- . . . . . . . . . .
ment)
ESDP European Security and Defense Policy. When the Lisbon Treaty came . . . . . . . . . .
into force in 2010, the former ESDP was renamed to CSDP (Common
Security and Defence Policy).
ESE Earth Science Enterprise [NASA program with the previous designa- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion of MTPE (Mission to Planet Earth)]. ESE projects include such
missions as: TOMS---EP, SeaWiFS, ACRIMSat, SORCE (SOlar Radi-
ation and Climate Experiment), OCO(Orbiting Carbon Observatory),
AQUARIUS, HYDROS, andOSTM(OceanSurface Topography Mis-
sion)
ESEM Evaluation of Space Environment Effects on Materials (Shuttle pay- . . . . . . . . .
load of NASA/LaRC) ESEM experiments are focused on cosmic dust
collection
ESF European Science Foundation (Strasbourg, France) . . . . . . . . . . .
ESDIS Earth Science Data and Information System (NASA/GSFC) . . . . . . . . .
ESIC EarthScience InformationCenter (USGSoperates a network of ESICs . . . . . . . . . .
to distrubute Earth science data and related products)
ESIS European Space Information System (ESA data system) . . . . . . . . . . .
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dex_0.html
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ESNI European Satellite Navigation Industries (since 2000, development of . . . . . . . . . .
Galileo system). ESNI, with HQs in Ottobrunn near Munich, Germa-
ny, is ownedby Alcatel Alenia Space SAS of France, Finmeccanica SpA
of Italy, EADS Astrium GmbH of Germany, EADS Astrium Ltd of
UnitedKingdom, GalileoSistemas y Servicios of Spain, a consortiumof
seven Spanish companies, and three Thales subsidaries.
Note: Until 2006, ESNI was referredto as GaIn (GalileoIndustries SA)
with HQ in Brussels.
ESO European Southern Observatory. ESO is an intergovernmental, Euro- . . . . . . . . . . .
pean organization for astronomical research (since 1962). ESO is sup-
ported by Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Nether-
lands, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The
ESO/HQ are located in Garching, near Munich, Germany. ESO oper-
ates two major observatories in the Atacama desert in Chile: 1) La Silla
Observatory, located about 600 km north of Santiago at an altitude of
2400 m, and 2) VLT (Very Large Telescope) at Paranal, located on a
2.600 m high mountain some 130 km south of Antofagasta, Chile.
ESOC EuropeanSpace OperationCentre [ESAfacility inDarmstadt, Germa- . . . . . . . . .
ny, since Sept. 1967; formerly ESDAC (European Space Data Center)
under ESRO]
ESPA EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) Secondary Payload Ad- . . . . . . . . . .
apter --- --- a multiple launchsystemfor small satellites usedin the Space
Test Program (STP) of the USAF
ESPI European Space Policy Institute (Vienna, Austria, since 2003) . . . . . . . . . . .
ESPRIT Effects of Space Weather on Technology Infrastructure (NATO Ad- . . . . . . . .
vanced Research Workshop)
ESRF European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (Grenoble, France) . . . . . . . . . .
ESRI Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (HQin Redlands, CA, . . . . . . . . . .
since 1969)
ESRIN European Space Research Institute (ESA facility in Frascati, Italy) . . . . . . . . .
ESRO European Space Research Organization (founded in 1962 by ten Euro- . . . . . . . . .
pean countries; predecessor organization of ESA)
ESSA Environmental Science and Services Administration (this was a prede- . . . . . . . . . .
cessor organization of NOAA)
Essaim Essaimmeans swarm in French. Essaimis also the name of 4 microsa- . . . . . . . . .
tellites of DGA(Defense Procurement Agency), France. The objective
is analysis of the electromagnetic environment (military use). Thesatel-
lites use the Myriade microsatellite bus of CNES.
ESSP Earth SystemScience Pathfinder, a NASAprogramthat started in1997 . . . . . . . . . .
(small ---scale, low---cost, and quick---turnaround NASA missions like
QuikTOMS, VCL, GRACE, SORCE, CALIPSO (formerly PICAS-
SO---CENA), CLOUDSAT, VOLCAM, etc.)
ESSP European Satellite Services Provider [AENA (Spain), DFS (Germa- . . . . . . . . . .
ny), DSNA (France), ENAV (Italy), NATS (United Kingdom), NAV
(Portugal) and Skyguide (Switzerland)]. ESSP is the operator of the
EGNOS system and the provider of EGNOS safety critical services.
ESTC Earth Science Technology Conference (a yearly NASA conference) . . . . . . . . . .
ESTEC European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA facility in . . . . . . . .
Noordwijk, Netherlands)
ESTF Earth Science Technology Forum (conferences of ESTO) . . . . . . . . . .
ESTO Earth Science Technology Office [at NASA/HQ --- --- the IIP (Instru- . . . . . . . . . .
ment Incubator Program) is sponsored by ESTO]
ESTRACK ESA Tracking Network. The core ESTRACK network comprises 10 . . . . .
stations in seven countries: Kourou (French Guiana), Maspalomas,
Villafranca (Spain), Redu (Belgium), Santa Maria (Portugal), Kiruna
(Sweden), Perth (Australia) which host 5.5 m, 13 m, 13.5 m or 15m an-
tennas.
In December 2012, the newtracking station(DSA3) at Malarge inAr-
3498
gentina, joined two other 35 m deep---space antennas at New Norcia
(DSA1) in Australia (completed in 2002) and Cebreros (DSA2) in
Spain, (completedin2005) toformthe EuropeanDeepSpaceNetwork.
6168)
ETALON Russian passive satellite series for geodetic measurements, E.4 . . . . . . .
ETHZ Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule, Zrich (Swiss Federal Insti- . . . . . . . . .
tute of Technology, Zrich)
ETHZ/IGP ETHZ/Institute of Geodesy and Photogrammetry . . . . .
ETL Electrotechnical Laboratorium (of MITI, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
ETRI Electronic and Telecommunications Research Institute, Daejeon, Ko- . . . . . . . . . .
rea (since 1976, a non---profit government organization)
ETS Engineering Test Satellite (NASDA technology series, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
ETS European Telecommunication Standard . . . . . . . . . . .
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute (since 1988) . . . . . . . . . .
EU European Union (formerly EC = European Community) . . . . . . . . . . . .
EUCREX European Cloud and Radiation Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
EUG Europen Union of Geosciences (Strasbourg, France, since 1980) . . . . . . . . . .
EUMETSAT European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satel- . . . .
lites (Darmstadt, Germany, since1986 --- operational agency of theMe-
teosat and the future MetOp systems; EUMETSAT inherited the Me-
teosat programoperationfromESA). EUMETSATmember states are:
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Ire-
land, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzer-
land, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
EUMETCast EUMETSAT data distribution system(a multi ---cast systembased on a . . . .
client/server configuration). EUMETCast distributes data files using
DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) to its user community
EurasSpace EurasSpace GmbH, Munich; Euro---Asian Space venture between . . . . .
DASA of Germany and CASC (Chinese Aerospace Corp. of Beijing);
builders of telecommunication satellites (Sinosat---1, etc.)
EURECA European Retrievable Carrier (platform deployed and retrieved on . . . . . .
Shuttle) J.5
EUREF European Reference Frame (since 1987). EUREF is a sub---commis- . . . . . . . .
sion of IAGs (International Association of Geodesy) Commission X
on Global and Regional Geodetic Networks. EUREF maintains an
array of GPS permanent sites --- the EUREF Permanent Network
(EPN). About 100 GPS stations were part of the EUREF in 2000 (for
interdisciplinary monitoring/investigations including geodynamics, sea
level monitoring and GPS meteorology).
EURIMAGE European Consortium for Satellite Image Dissemination (Rome, Italy . . .
--- a commercial data distributor. The consortiumis made up by the fol-
lowing companies: SSC, MATRA, NRSC and Dornier)
EURISY European Association for ISY [one of two ISY (International Space . . . . . . .
Year) organizers in Europe, see SAFISY] Paris, France (since 1989).
EURISY is an independent non---governmental body, fostering col-
lective actions for bridging space and society.
Eurockot Eurockot Launch Services GmbH, Bremen, Germany. A joint venture . . . . . . .
company between Russias Khrunichev and Germanys EADS Space
Transportation (formerly DASA). The launcher is the Rockot vehicle,
built by KhSC (Khrunichev Space Center), Moscow. Rockot is a modi-
fied version of Russias SS---19 missile, a three---stage liquid---fueled
launchvehicle. Eurockot maintains its launchfacilities inPlesetsk, Rus-
sia. The first launch demonstration of a Rockot vehicle occurred on
May 16, 2000 from Plesetsk with Simsat---1 and ---2, two dummy pay-
loads.
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EUROLAS European Laser Stations (ground network of SLR stations) . . . . .
EUROPTO A joint venture between EOS (European Optical Society) and SPIE . . . . .
(Society of Photo---Optical Instrumentation Engineering)
EuroSDR European Organization of Spatial Data Research . . . . . .
Eurospace The association of European space industry, Paris, since 1961 . . . . . .
EUSAR European SAR Conference (established in 1996, a conference is held . . . . . . . .
on a 2---year basis)
EUSC European Union Satellite Center (Torrejn de Ardoz, in the vicinity of . . . . . . . . .
Madrid, Spain, since2001). EUSCis anagency of the Council of theEu-
ropean Union dedicatedto the exploitation andproduction of informa-
tion derived primarily fromthe analysis of Earth observation space im-
agery.
EUSI European Space Imaging (Munich, Germany, since 2002), commercial . . . . . . . . . .
distributor of high---resolution data. In April 2010, EUSI started oper-
ating EDAF (European Direct Access Facility) for the acquisition of
WorldView---1/2 data. EDAFis locatedat DLR, Oberpfaffenhofenand
is jointly operated by EUSI and DLR.
EUSIPCO European Signal Processing Conference . . . . . .
Eutelsat European Telecommunications Satellite Organization (international . . . . . . . .
consortium). On July 2, 2001, Eutelsat became a private, liability---lim-
ited company, Eutelsat SA
EUV Extreme Ultra Violet (spectral range), see also: XUV . . . . . . . . . .
EVA Extravehicular Activity (Astronaut activity outside a space vehicle) . . . . . . . . . . .
EVN European VLBI Network (since 1980) . . . . . . . . . . .
EXA Ecuadorian Civilian Space Agency (Guayaquil, Ecuador, since Nov. 1, . . . . . . . . . . .
2007)
EXOS Exospheric Observations, ISAS program (K.12) . . . . . . . . .
EXPERT European eXPErimental Reentry Testbed (ESA research program, . . . . . . .
suborbital launch)
EXPRESSO Experiment for Regional Sources and Sinks of Oxidants (campaign) . . . .
F
FAA Federal Aviation Administration (since 1958, regulatory agency for all . . . . . . . . . . .
civil aviation in the Department of Transportation, USA)
FACH Fuerza Aerara de Chile (Chilenian Air Force) . . . . . . . . .
FAGS Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical Services . . . . . . . . . .
FAISAT Final Analysis Inc. Satellite (C.3) . . . . . . . .
Fakel EDB (Experimental Design Bureau) Fakel, Kaliningrad, Russia; . . . . . . . . . .
manufacturer of EPS (Electric Propulsion Systems) and LPT (Liquid
Propellant Thrusters), etc. --- EDB Fakel is part of a joint venture
named ISTI (International Space Technology, Inc.)
FAME Full ---sky Astrometric Mapping Explorer (US MIDEX mission) . . . . . . . . .
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization (of the UN) . . . . . . . . . . .
FARE Fluid Acquisition and Resupply Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
FASat---Alfa Fuerza Aerea Satellite --- Alfa (D.62.12) . . . .
FASINEX Frontal Air---Sea Interaction Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
FAST Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer (GSFC mission, K.25.2) . . . . . . . . . .
FAST Fore---Aft Scan Technique (radar) . . . . . . . . . .
FASTEX Fronts & Atlantic Storm Track Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
FATE FIRST ATSR Tropical Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
FBG Functional Cargo Block (first element of ISS also referred to as Zarya) . . . . . . . . . . .
FBG Fiber Bragg Grating (a sensor system based on optical fibers). The low . . . . . . . . . . .
mass and volume, the multiplexing capability and the electromagnetic
immunity are the key enablers for FBG sensor employment in satellite
applications.
FCC Federal Communications Commission (Washington, DC, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface . . . . . . . . . .
3500
FDIR Failure Detection, Isolation and Recovery (of an onboard subsystemor . . . . . . . . . .
individual components)
FDMA Frequency Division Multiple Access (access scheme) . . . . . . . . .
FDP Fluorescent Dye Particles (a tracer technique in lidar observations) . . . . . . . . . . .
FEA Fluid Experiment Apparatus (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
FEC Forward Error Correction (data coding technique) FEC coding (also . . . . . . . . . . .
called channel coding) is a type of digital signal processing that im-
proves data reliability by introducing a known structure into a data se-
quence prior to transmission or storage. FECtypes: convolutional cod-
ing (since 1955), Viterbi decoding (since 1967), concatenated coding
(since 1974), turbo coding (since 1993), etc.
FEEP Field Effect Electric Propulsion . . . . . . . . . .
FET Field---Effect Transistor (JFET = Junction Field---Effect Transistor) . . . . . . . . . . .
FET Free Elliptical Trajectory (formation flying) . . . . . . . . . . .
FF Formation Flying (spacecraft) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FFG/ALR Forschungsfrderungsgesellschaft/Agentur fr Luft--- und Raumfahrt, . . . . . .
Wien, sterreich.
Note: FFGis the AustrianResearchPromotionAgency, Vienna, Aus-
tria. The ALR (Aeronautics and Space Agency) is part of FFG (the
funding/coordination agency of the Austrian Ministry, BMVIT), while
ALR implements the Austrian aerospace policy and manages the vari-
ous programs. As of April 2005, the former ASA (Austrian Space
Agency) was renamed to ALR and integrated into FFG/ALR.
FFI Norwegian Defense Research Establishment, Kjeller, Norway . . . . . . . . . . . .
FFSK Fast Frequency Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . .
FFT Fast Fourier Transform
6169)
. . . . . . . . . . .
FGAN Forschungsgesellschaft fr Angewandte Naturwissenschaften e.V. . . . . . . . . .
(German Defense Research Facility for Applied Science), Wachtberg
near Bonn, Germany. FGAN was founded in 1955, it maintains three
major institutes: 1) FHR (Research Institute for High---Frequency
Physics and Radar techniques), 2) FHIE (Research Institute for Com-
munication, Information Processing and Ergonomics), and 3) FOM
(Research Institute for Optronics and Pattern Recognition).
FGGE First GARP Global Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
FhG Fraunhofer Gesellschaft (in honor of Joseph von Fraunhofer, 1787 --- . . . . . . . . . . .
1826), a leading organization of applied research in Germany (HQ in
Munich). FhG operates 47 research institutes in Germany with about
8500 employees. About 2/3 of FhG research is through contracts for in-
dustry andgovernment. There are also FhGinstitutes inUSAandAsia.
Only a few institutes are listed here:
FhG/FIRST Fraunhofer Gesellschaft/Institut fr Rechnerarchitektur undSoftware- . . . . .
technik (Institute of Computer Architecture and Information Techno-
logy), Berlin Adlershof, Germany
FhG/IAF Fraunhofer Gesellschaft/Institut fr Angewandte Festkrperphysik . . . . . . .
(development of detectors), Freiburg, Germany
FhG/IFU Fraunhofer Gesellschaft/Institut fr Atmosphren und Umweltfor- . . . . . . .
schung (Institute of Atmospheric and Environmental Research), Gar-
misch---Partenkirchen, Germany
FhG/IOF Fraunhofer Gesellschaft/Institut fr Angewandte Optik und Feinme- . . . . . . .
chanik (Institute of Applied Optics and Precision Engineering), Jena,
Germany
_____________________
6169) Jean Baptiste Joseph Fourier (1768--- 1830) French mathematician (contemporary of Laplace, Lagrange, and
Monge). Fourier was elected to the Acadmie des Sciences in 1817. Inventor of the Fourier series and transform.
The Fourier transformis used in linear systems analysis, antenna studies, optics, randomprocess modeling, proba-
bility theory, quantumphysics, boundary--- value problems, andin many other fields. The Fourier transform, a per-
vasive and versatile tool, is used in many fields of science as a mathematical or physical tool to alter a probleminto
one that can be more easily solved.
3501
FhG/IPM Fraunhofer Gesellschaft/Institut fr Physikalische Messtechnik (Insti- . . . . . . .
tute of Physical Measurement Techniques), Freiburg, Germany
FHT Frequency Hopping Telemetry (a communication access method) . . . . . . . . . . .
FIRAS P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences . . . . . . . . .
(RAS), Moscow. FIRAS was established in 1967 as part of IKI. Since
1991 it is named AKTs FIRAS (radio astronomy)
FIRST Far Infrared Submillimeter Telescope (an astrophysics mission of ESA . . . . . . . . .
with a planned launch in 2007). FIRSTwas renamed to Herschel Space
Observatory in 2002.
FID Flame Ionization Detector . . . . . . . . . . .
FIFE First ISLSCP Field Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
FILE Feature IdentificationandLocationExperiment (part of OSTA---1pay- . . . . . . . . . .
load on Shuttle STS---2 in Nov. 1981)
FIMR Finnish Institute of Marine Research (Helsinki, Finland) . . . . . . . . . .
FINCH Fresnel INcoherent Correlation Holography (a 3---D imaging tech- . . . . . . . .
nique invented by JHU/APL and Ben---Gurion University of the
Negev)
FINDS Foundation of the International Non---Governmental Development of . . . . . . . . .
Space (USA, created in 1997)
FIR Far infrared: from about 10 --- 1000 mm (note: 1000 mm = 1 mm) . . . . . . . . . . .
FIRE First ISCCP Regional Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
FIRESCAN Fire Research Campaign Asia---North (IGBP---IGAC---BIBEX cam- . . . . .
paign)
FIRESCHEME Fire Information Systems Research in the Socio---Culture, History and .
Ecology, of the Mediterranean Environment (campaign)
FITS Flexible Image Transport System format (a format of radio astronomy . . . . . . . . . . .
heritage developed in the 1970s by ESA and NASA. FITS is now (21
st
century) used to store data from many space missions.
FLA Film Lens Antenna (a new antenna architecture) . . . . . . . . . . .
FLINN Fiducial Laboratories for an International Network (a global network . . . . . . . . .
supporting Crustal Dynamics Test Sites)
FLIR Forward Looking Infrared (sensor) . . . . . . . . . .
FLTSATCOM Fleet Satellite Communications System(of DoD, USA). FLTSATCOM . . .
provides worldwide, high---priority UHF communications between na-
val aircraft, ships, submarines, and ground stations and between the
Strategic Air Command and the national command authority network.
Fully operational in January 1981, the FLTSATCOM constellation is
being replaced by the UFO (UHF Follow---On) spacecraft.
FM Frequency Modulation (modulation technique of the main carrier) . . . . . . . . . . . .
FMC Forward Motion Compensation . . . . . . . . . .
FMCW Frequency Modulation Continuous Wave (a radar measurement tech- . . . . . . . . .
nique to obtain range information --- a sequence of FMCWechoes con-
tains both, range and Doppler information)
FMI Finnish Meteorological Institute (Helsinki, Finland) . . . . . . . . . . .
FMS Flight Management System (avionics) . . . . . . . . . . .
FNMOC Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (of US Navy) at . . . . . . .
Monterey, CA
FOA Frsvarets Forskningsanstalt (National Defense Research Establish- . . . . . . . . . . .
ment, Department of Information Technology, Linkpping, Sweden)
FOG Fiber---Optic Gyroscope (an angular rate gyro) . . . . . . . . . .
FMI Hungarian Remote Sensing Center, Budapest, Hungary . . . . . . . . .
FOO Flight of Opportunity . . . . . . . . . .
FOR Field of Regard (total width of a ground imaging surface that is within . . . . . . . . . . .
the pointing potential of a sensor. Note: the FOV (or swath width) is
always contained in the FOR)
FORTE Fast On---Orbit Recording of Transient Events (LANL, A.18) . . . . . . . .
FOS Fiber Optic Sensor . . . . . . . . . . .
3502
FOV Field of View . . . . . . . . . . .
FPA Focal Plane Array (also: Focal Plane Assembly --- detector assembly of . . . . . . . . . . .
an imager instrument)
FPGA Field Programmable Gate Array . . . . . . . . .
FR Frame Relay (an IP transmission technique, the other is ATM) . . . . . . . . . . . .
FRAM Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (a chip technology providing . . . . . . . . .
non---volatile storage)
FREESTAR Fast Reaction Experiments Enabling Science, Technology, Applica- . . . .
tions & Research (Shuttle STS---107 Hitchhiker payload), see J.6
FREJA Swedish Solar---Terrestrial Mission (K.13) . . . . . . . . .
FSK Frequency Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
FSL Femto---Second based Laser . . . . . . . . . . .
FSUE / RISDE Federal State Unitary Enterprise / Russian Scientific Institute of Space . .
Device Engineering, Moscow, Russia (note: the Russian abbreviation
of FSUE/RISDE is RNIIKP)
FSW Fanhui Shei Weixing (Chinese satellite class to support both military . . . . . . . . . . .
and civilian Earth observation needs). FSW---3---2 was launched on
Aug. 29, 2004
FTAM File Transfer Access and Management (OSI File Transfer Method) . . . . . . . . .
FTFPV Flexible Thin---Film Photovoltaic (a solar cell technology) . . . . . . . .
FTIR Fourier Transform Infrared (radiometer or spectrometer) . . . . . . . . . .
FTS Fourier Transform Spectrometer . . . . . . . . . . .
FUV Far Ultraviolet (spectral region 90 --- 125 nm) . . . . . . . . . . .
FWG Forschungsanstalt der Bundeswehr fr Wasserschall und Geophysik . . . . . . . . . .
(Kiel, Germany)
FWHM Full ---Width---Half---Maximum (of distribution curve) . . . . . . . .
FY FengYun, Chinese meteorological satellite series, G.3 . . . . . . . . . . . .
FZJ Forschungszentrum Jlich (Germany, old name was KfA) . . . . . . . . . . .
FZK Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Germany, old name was KfK) . . . . . . . . . . .
FZK/IMK FZK (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe)/Institut fr Meteorologie und . . . . . .
Klimaforschung (Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research)
G
Ga Gallium (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . . .
GaAs Gallium Arsenide (a material used for solar panels, for detectors, and . . . . . . . . . .
for fast computer chips)
GaIn Galileo Industries SA, located in Brussels, Belgium (a joint venture of . . . . . . . . . . .
Astrium, Alenia Spazio, and Alcatel Space, founded May 25, 2000) for
the development and manufacturing of Galileo satellites (European
Radionavigation System). Note: In 2006, Galileo Industries SAwas re-
named to ESNI (European Satellite Navigation Industries)
GaInP
2
Gallium Indium Phosphide (solar cell type) . . . . . . . . .
GaN Gallium Nitride compound---based semiconductor (used in GaN pho- . . . . . . . . . . .
toconductive detectors, etc.). GaN works better at much higher
voltages and temperatures than silicon or the widely---used gallium ar-
senide (GaAs). Significantly for space, GaN is also inherently radi-
ation---resistant.
GAC Global Area Coverage (the term is used for AVHRR data of NOAA) . . . . . . . . . . .
GAC Global Aerospace Corporation (Altadena, CA) . . . . . . . . . . .
GAF Gesellschaft fr Angewandte Fernerkundung, Munich (since 1985, . . . . . . . . . . .
German commercial distributor of Earth observation data, such as Re-
surs data, Landsat data, IRS---1C/D data (via EOSAT), representative
of EURIMAGEand SPOT---IMAGEin Germany, distributor for SO-
VINFORMSPUTNIK data, Radarsat data distributor for Germany,
etc.
GABLE Global Atmospheric Backscatter Lidar Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
3503
GADACS GPS Attitude Determination and Control Experiment (a GSFC GPS . . . . . .
instrument package on Shuttle SPARTAN)
GADFLY GPS Attitude Determination Flyer (experiment on Lewis S/C) . . . . . . .
GAGAN GPS Aided Geo---Augmented Navigation system (SBAS of ISRO to . . . . . . .
provide coverage for the region of India)
GAIM Global Analysis, Interpretation and Modeling (IGBP project) . . . . . . . . .
GAIM Global Assimilation of Ionospheric Measurements (model) . . . . . . . . .
GALE Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (airborne campaign in 1986) . . . . . . . . .
Galileo Avionica Galileo Avionica Space Equipment B.U. (a Finemeccanica Company), .
Campi Bisenzio (Firenze), Italy
Galileo Industries Galileo Industries SAis a European joint venture of the following com-
panies(todefineandbuildthe GalileoSystem): AleniaSpazioof Rome,
Alcatel Space of Paris, Astrium Ltd. of Stevenage, UK, and Astrium
GmbH of Friedrichshafen, Germany.
GAME GEWEX---related Asian Monsoon Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
GAMES Gravity and Magnetic Earth Surveyor (a NASA/GSFC mission) . . . . . . . .
GANDER Global Altimeter Network Designed to Evaluate Risk (an SSTL, UK . . . . . .
constellation planned to be launched in 2002)++++
GANE GPS Attitude Navigation Experiment (NASA Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
GARP Global Atmospheric Research Program (of WMO, since 1968) . . . . . . . . .
GAS Get---Away Special (Shuttle canisters) . . . . . . . . . . .
GATE GARP Atlantic Tropical Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
GAUSS Galaktische Ultraweitwinkel Schmidt System, Shuttle payload (Galac- . . . . . . . .
tic super wide angle Schmidt system)
GAUSS Galileo and UMTS Synergetic System (an integrated user terminal . . . . . . . .
demonstrator capable of supporting the required navigation and com-
munications functions)
GAUSS Group of Astrodynamics of the University of Rome La Sapienza, . . . . . . . .
Rome, Italy. In 2011, after the closure of the School of Aerospace En-
gineering inRome, theGAUSSteamstartedalimitedliability company
(GAUSSSrl) whichis followingthe morethanten---year oldtraditionof
the Scuola di Ingegneria Aerospaziale.
GAW Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO) . . . . . . . . . .
GBA GAS Bridge Assembly (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
GBAS (GNSS) Ground Based Augmentation System . . . . . . . . .
GBRN Global Baseline Radiation Network (WCRP) . . . . . . . . .
GC Gas Chromatograph . . . . . . . . . . . .
GCIP GEWEX Continental ---Scale International Project . . . . . . . . . .
GCM General Circulation Model (atmosphere, ocean, climate, exchange at . . . . . . . . . .
boundaries, global water cycle, etc.)
GCMD Global Change Master Directory (at NASA/GSFC since 1989) . . . . . . . .
GCOM Global Change Observation Mission (NASDA) . . . . . . . .
GCOS Global Climate Observing System (of WMO, IOC, UNEP, and ICSU, . . . . . . . . .
established in 1992)
GCOS/JSTC GCOS/Joint Scientific and Technical Committee (Geneva, Switzer- . . . .
land)
GCP Glow Cryoph Payload (DoD Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
GCR Galactic Cosmic Rays (they are coming fromoutside the solar system --- . . . . . . . . . .
somewhere in the Milky Way or in others galaxies). These particles are
charged and very energetic, with a typical energy range of 1 MeV to 1
GeV, and more rarely 1 TeV.
GCRP Global Climate Research Program (of WMO) . . . . . . . . .
GCTE Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystem (IGBP core program) . . . . . . . . .
GDGPS Global Differential GPS (NASA ground network for real ---time orbit . . . . . . . .
determination). The GDGPS network is managed by JPL and contains
global and regional real ---time data fromhundreds of GPS sites and es-
3504
timates their positions every second. It can detect ground motions as
small as a few centimeters.
GE General Electric Co., Fairchild, CT, USA . . . . . . . . . . . .
GE Americom GEAmerican Communications Inc. (in 2001 GEAmericomof Prince- . .
ton, NJ, was acquired by SES Astra of Luxembourg)
Ge Germanium (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . . .
GeGa Germanium Gallium (detector) . . . . . . . . . .
GEIA Global Emissions Inventory Activity (IGBP/IGAC focus 6 activity) . . . . . . . . . .
GEMINI NASA program of the 1960s . . . . . . .
GEMINUS Galileo European Multimodal Integrated Navigation User Service . . . . .
GEMS Global Environment Monitoring System (of UNEP) . . . . . . . . .
GENESI---DR GroundEuropeanNetworkfor EarthScience Interoperations --- Digit- . .
al Repositories (a single access point to Earth science data)
GENIE Ground---based European Nulling Interferometer Experiment (using . . . . . . . .
ESOs VLT in Chile (a collection of four 8 m diameter telescopes)
GENSO Global Educational Network for Satellite Operations. GENSO, a pro- . . . . . . . .
ject under auspices of ISEB (International Space Education Board),
ESAs Education Office is one of the sponsors (other sponsors are CSA,
NASA, CNES, and JAXA). GENSO is a software networking standard
which allows each ground station on the network to communicate with
non---local spacecraft and share data with the spacecraft controllers via
the internet. The spacecraft use generally the AX25 protocol in tele-
metry.
GFRP Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (a low---mass building material which . . . . . . . . .
has a very high strength to mass ratio)
GEO Geostationary Earth Orbit [a geosynchronous orbit with zero inclina- . . . . . . . . . .
tion (orbit is in the equator plane and circular), the altitude is about
35,786 km]
GEO GrouponEarthObservations (createdonJuly 31, 2003; aninternation- . . . . . . . . . .
al intergovernmental initiative with the goal of furthering the creation
of a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observing sys-
tem or systems). See also GEOSS
GeoEye As of Jan. 2006, a commercial imaging company made upof former Or- . . . . . . . .
bimage of Dulles VA, and of Space Imaging of Thornton, CO (Orbi-
mage acquired Space Imaging in 2005 and gave the merged company
the new name of GeoEye). The new company has HQs in Dulles, VA.
GEODE GPS Enhanced Orbit Determination Experiment (a GSFC---develo- . . . . . . .
ped flight navigation software package --- an extended Kalman filter
processor that incorporates accurate models of dynamics andmeasure-
ments to optimize incorporation of GPS measurements). GEODE is a
powerful real ---time satellite orbit determination software suite.
GeoLITE Geosynchronous Lightweight Technology Experiment (NRO funded . . . . . . .
communications satellite, launch May 18, 2001, design life of 9 years).
GeoLITE features an advanced laser communications experiment
(tests for 15 months).
GEO---IK Russian S/C for solid Earth research, E.5 . . . . . .
GEOINT Geospatial Intelligence (the intelligence community uses this term to . . . . . . .
describe, assess, analyse, and visually depict physical features and geo-
graphically referenced activities on the Earth. GEOINT data sources
include imagery and mapping data, whether collected by commercial
satellite, government satellite, aircraft, or other means. GEOINT is a
new discipline that builds on: imagery analysis, photo interpretation,
cartography, geography, and much more.
GEOKhl RAN Vernadskiy Institute for Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of . .
RAN, Moscow; since 1947, participation in programs: Luna, Venera,
Salyut, MIR, Vega, Phobos, Voyager, Magellan, Mars Observer
GEOMAR Research Center for Marine Geosciences (U. of Kiel, Germany) . . . . .
3505
GEONETCast A near real ---time, global network of satellite---based data dissemina- . .
tion systems designed to distribute spaceborne, airborne and in situ da-
ta, metadata and products to diverse communities (in particular among
the meteorological community). As of 2006, GEONETCast is aninitia-
tive of GEOSS. NOAA, EUMETSAT and WMO are co---lead mem-
bers in the organizational structure.
GEONS GPS Enhanced Onboard Navigation System (autonomous real ---time . . . . . . . .
GPS performances of < 20 m are being achieved)
GEOS Geostationary Satellite (ESA experimental program) E.6 . . . . . . . . .
GEOS Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite, E.7 . . . . . . . . .
GEOS---3 Geodynamics Experimental Ocean Satellite, E.7.3 (GEOS---3 is the . . . . . . .
first radar altimeter mission, end of mission in 1978)
GEOS&R Geostationary Search and Rescue (system, a payload on GEO S/C) . . . . . .
GEOSAT US Navy satellite (altimeter mission), E.8 . . . . . . .
GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems. GEOSS is an interna- . . . . . . . .
tional framework to develop a 10---year implementation plan, a com-
prehensive, coordinated and sustained system that will help to better
understandEarthsystems, including weather, climate, oceans, geology,
and ecosystems. The GEOSS document was signed at a summit in To-
kyo, on April 25, 2004. Representatives of 47 countries andmore thana
dozen international organizations (UN, ESA, EC, ISCU, WMO, etc.)
were present at the GEO(GrouponEarthObservations) summit, sign-
ing the document (the finalization of a draft implementation plan).
GEOTAIL Japanese(ISAS) missiontostudy the structureanddynamics of thegeo- . . . . . .
magnetic tail (part of ISTP), K.15
GEOWARN Global Emergency Observation Warning and Relief Network (in plan- . . . .
ning phase by NASA/MSFC, etc.)
GER Geophysical & Environmental Research Corp. (Millbrook, NY, USA) . . . . . . . . . .
GEWEX Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (WMO program, since . . . . . . .
1988, --- to observe and model the hydrologic cycle and energy fluxes in
the atmosphere, and at the land and ocean surface)
GFLOPS BillionFloating Point Operations per Second(10
9
--- a measure of com- . . . . . . .
puter processing power)
GETEX German Technology Experiment on ETS VII (1999) . . . . . . . .
GFO---1 Geosat Follow---On (Satellite), E.9 . . . . . . . .
GFSK Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . .
GFU Geophysical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Repub- . . . . . . . . . .
lic, Prague
GFZ GeoForschungsZentrum(Potsdam, Germany, since 1992). Note: Are- . . . . . . . . . . .
naming of GFZ took place on June 17, 2008. The new name is: Helm-
holtz---Zentrum Potsdam Deutsches GeoForschungsZentrum GFZ
(German Research Center for Geosciences)
GGN Global GPS Network (of NASA, consisting of more than 60 dual ---fre- . . . . . . . . . .
quency GPS geodetic reference stations)
GGOS Global Geodetic Observing System (since 2003). GGOS is the official . . . . . . . . .
component (observing system) of IAG (International Association of
Geodesy)
GGS Global Geospace Science (US program within ISTP with two space- . . . . . . . . . . .
craft: Wind and Polar)
GGSE Gravity Gradient Stabilization Experiment. A technology satellite se- . . . . . . . . .
ries (GGSE---1 to GGSE---5) launched by the US military (NRL of
DoD) from Vandenberg AFB aboard Thor Agena---D rockets.
GGSE---1 (39 kg mass): launchJan. 11, 1964 intoa 900kmaltitudeorbit
with an inclination of 69.9; GGSE---2 and GGSE---3 (each S/Cof 4 kg
mass): launch March 9, 1965; GGSE---4 and ---5 (each S/C of 4 kg mass): launch May 31,
1967
GGTS---1 Gravity Gradient Test Satellite---1 (of the USAF was launched June 16, . . . . . . .
1966 from Cape Canaveral)
3506
GHCC Global Hydrology and Climate Center (at NASA/MSFC, Huntsville) . . . . . . . . .
GHCD Growth Hormone Crystal Distribution (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
GHRSST Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature
6170)
. . . . . . .
GIAC GPS Interagency Advisory Council . . . . . . . . . .
GIE Gridded Ion Engine (electric propulsion) . . . . . . . . . . .
GIF Graphics Interchange Format of Compuserve (8---bit color format, . . . . . . . . . . .
used in HTML, etc.)
GIM Global Integration and Modeling (IGBP/IGAC focus 6 activity) . . . . . . . . . . .
GIMEX Greenland Ice Margin Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
GIOVE Galileo In---Orbit Validation Element (a 2 S/C mission of ESA, . . . . . . . .
GIOVE---Ais being built by SSTL, GIOVE---Bis being built by Galileo
Industries)
GIPME Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment . . . . . . . .
GIS Geographic Information System (an archive in particular for forestry . . . . . . . . . . . .
data)
GISP Greenland Ice Sheet Project . . . . . . . . . .
GISS Goddard Institute for Space Studies (New York, NY, since 1961 --- a . . . . . . . . . .
NASA/GSFC facility at Columbia University)
GIST Globalizing and Internationalizing ORS Standards and Technology (a . . . . . . . . . .
DoD program that allows international collaboration to develop ORS
standards)
GISTDA Geo---Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency, Bang- . . . . . . .
kok, Thailand
GKSS Gesellschaft fr Kernergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schiffahrt . . . . . . . . . .
(Geesthacht, Germany)
GLAS Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (previously GLRS) . . . . . . . . . .
GLAST Gamma---ray Large Aerea Space Telescope (NASA mission), Note: . . . . . . . .
NASArenamed the GLASTmission to Fermi Gamma---ray Space Te-
lescope as of August 26, 2008
GLIS Global Land Information System (an online land data directory guide, . . . . . . . . . .
a public information systemoperated by USGS at EROS Data Center)
Glavkosmos Russian space organization agency with the objective to develop the . . . . .
commercial side of space activities (created in 1985)
GLO Glow Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
GLOBE Global Backscatter Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
GLOBEC Global Ocean EcosystemDynamics (since 1991). GLOBECis one of 9 . . . . . .
core programs of IGBP (International Geosphere---Biosphere Pro-
gram), an interdisciplinary scientific activity established and sponsored
by the International Council for Science (ICSU).
GLOBSAT Proposed Earth Observation Satellite by the French Earth Science . . . . .
Community.
GlobWave The ESA GlobWave project is a three year initiative funded by the . . . . . .
EESAin collaborationwith CNESto service the needs of satellite wave
product users across the globe. Led by Logica UK, with support from
CLS, Ifremer, SatOC and NOC, the project offers a one stop for satel-
lite data on ocean waves.
GLOCARB Global Tropospheric CarbonDioxideNetwork (IGBP/IGACprogram) . . . . .
GLOCHEM Global Atmospheric Chemistry Survey (IGBP/IGAC program) . . . .
GLOMR Global LowOrbitingMessage Relay (DARPAS/CflownonSTS---61A) . . . . . . .
GLONASS Global Orbiting and Navigation Satellite System (USSR), H.4, GLO- . . . . .
NASS (GLObalnaya NAvigatisionnay Sputnikovaya Sistema)
GLONET Global Tropospheric Ozone Network (IGBP/IGAC program) . . . . . .
GLOSS Global Sea Level Observing System (of IOC) . . . . . . . .
GLRS Geoscience Laser Ranging System (EOS Sensor), renamed in 1992 . . . . . . . . .
GLAS = Geoscience Laser Altimeter System
GLS GBAS Landing System . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6170) https://www.ghrsst.org/ghrsst--- science/what--- is--- ghrsst/
3507
GMES Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (European initia- . . . . . . . . .
tive).
Copernicus is the new name of the European Commissions Earth Observation Pro-
gramme, previously known as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment andSecurity).
The new name was announced on December 11, 2012, by EC (European Commission)
Vice---President Antonio Tajani during the Competitiveness Council.
Inthe words of AntonioTajani: By changing the name fromGMES toCopernicus, we are
paying homage to a great European scientist and observer: Nicolaus Copernicus
(1473---1543). As he was the catalyst in the 16
th
century to better understand our world, so
the European Earth Observation Programme gives us a thorough understanding of our
changing planet, enabling concrete actions to improve the quality of life of the citizens.
Copernicus has now reached maturity as a programme and all its services will enter soon
into the operational phase. Thanks togreater data availability user take---up will increase,
thus contributing to that growth that we so dearly need today.
Table 944: Copernicus is the new name of the former GMES program
6171)
GMS Geostationary Meteorological Satellite, Operational Program of JMA . . . . . . . . . .
(Japan Meteorological Agency), F.3
GMSEC GSFCMission Services Evolution Center. ANASAmessage bus archi- . . . . . . . .
tecture establishedin2001 tocoordinate groundandflight data systems
development and services at GSFC.
GMSK Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . .
GMV GMV S. A. is a subsidiary of the holding group Grupo Tecnolgico e . . . . . . . . . .
Industrial GMV S. A. (Grupo GMV). Grupo GMV is a fully Spanish,
privately owned company established in 1984.
GMW GeoMetWatch, Las Vegas, Nevada (US commercial company) . . . . . . . . . .
GNB Generic Nanosatellite Bus (a bus developed at UTIAS/SFL, Toronto, . . . . . . . . . .
Canada.
GN&C Guidance Navigation and Control . . . . . . . . .
GNET Greenland GPS Network (a network of GPS stations (~ 50) stationed . . . . . . . . .
around the Greenland ice sheet on bedrock to detect changes in uplift
along most of the Greenland coast).
6172)
GNSS Global Navigation Satellite System (a future civil satellite navigation . . . . . . . . . .
system)
GNSS---R GNSS---Reflections. Refers to reflected GNSS (signals) observables . . . . . .
fromthe open ocean or land surface (to be measured by an airborne or
spaceborne instrument). The GNSS---R signals may be used in a wide
field of applications (altimetry, soil moisture, sea state monitoring,
etc.).
GNU Radio GNU Radio is a free software toolkit for learning about, building, and . . . .
deploying SDRs (Software Defined Radios).
6173)
GOALS Global Ocean---Atmosphere---Land System (CLIVAR subprogram) . . . . . . . .
GOBEX Gotland Basin Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
GOCE Gravity Field and Steady---State Ocean Circulation Experiment (core . . . . . . . . .
mission in ESAs Earth Explorer Program)
GOCINA GeoidandOceanCirculationInthe NorthAtlantic [GOCINAis anEU . . . . . . .
FP5 project with the objectives: a) determinationof the geoid, b) deter-
mination of the mean sea surface, and c) determination of the meandy-
namic topography. Use of Envisat and GOCE data]
_____________________
6171)Copernicus: newname for EuropeanEarth ObservationProgramme, EuropeanCommission Press Release, Dec.
12, 2012, URL: http://europa.eu/rapid/press--- release_IP--- 12--- 1345_en.htm
6172) Pam Frost Gorder, GPS Can Now Measure Ice Melt, Change In Greenland Over Months Rather Than Years,
Space Daily, July 26, 2012, URL: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/GPS_Can_Now_Meas-
ure_Ice_Melt_Change_In_Greenland_Over_Months_Rather_Than_Years_999.html
6173) http://gnuradio.org/redmine/wiki/gnuradio
3508
GODAE Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (since 1997) GODAE . . . . . . .
aims at to demonstrate the benefits and utility of operational ocean
products for a wide range of applications. GODAE requires high spa-
tial and temporal resolution SST (Sea Surface Temperature) data in
real ---time to properly constrain the upper ocean circulation and ther-
mal structure. The GHRSST---PP (Group for High---Resolution SST---
Pilot Project) of GODAE was established to address this need.
GOES Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (NOAA Series), . . . . . . . . .
F.4
GOFS Global Ocean Flux Study (program) . . . . . . . . .
GOIN Global Information Network (a cooperative project between the USA . . . . . . . . .
and Japan for the exchange of observational data, initiated in 1993)
GOLD Gossamer Orbit Lowering Device . . . . . . . . .
GOMAS Geostationary Observatory for Microwave Atmospheric Sounding (a . . . . . . .
proposed project of ESA)
GOMS Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (Russian geosta- . . . . . . . . .
tionary meteorological satellite series (at longitude 76 deg. East), F.5
GOOS Global OceanObserving System[a joint programof IOC(Intergovern- . . . . . . . . .
mental Oceanographic Commission), WMO (World Meteorological
Organization), UNEP (United Nations Environmental Program), and
the International Council for Science]. GOOS integrates real ---time
in---situ and satellite observations with numerical model to form mod-
el ---based information products for a variety of applications. The initial
GOOS was formed in 1991. European GOOS (EuroGOOS) was
formed in 1994 as one of several regional GOOS activities.
GOP Groups of Pictures. In MPEG encoding, a GOP specifies the order in . . . . . . . . . . .
whichintra---frames andinter frames are arranged. The GOPis a group
of successive pictures within an MPEG---coded video stream.
GOPS Giga Operations Per Second . . . . . . . . .
GORC Global Ocean Carbon Research Program . . . . . . . . .
General Organization of Remote Sensing (since 1986, Damascus, Syr- . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ia), Space Agency of Syria
GOS Global Observing System (WWW) . . . . . . . . . . .
GOSAMR---1 Gelatin of Sols: Applied Microgravity Research---1 (Shuttle experi- . . .
ment)
GOSIP Government Open System Interconnection Profile ( US Government . . . . . . . . .
Standard, GOSIP is a subset of OSI)
GOSNIIAS State Research Institute of Aviation Systems (Moscow, Russia) . . . . .
GP---B Gravity Probe---B Relativity Mission (E.12) . . . . . . . . .
GPCC Global Precipitation Climatology Center, (since 1988, located at the . . . . . . . . .
German Weather Service (DWD) in Offenbach, Germany, collection
of raingage---measured monthly precipitation data, worldwide)
GPCP Global Precipitation Climatology Project (by ICSU and WMO) . . . . . . . . . .
GPM Global Precipitation Measurement (a NASA/NASDAfollow---on mul- . . . . . . . . . .
ti ---satellite constellation mission to TRMM with international coop-
eration, in planning stage as of 2001)
GPRS General Packet Radio Services [Apacket---based wireless communica- . . . . . . . . . .
tion service that promises data rates from 56 --- 114 kbit/s and continu-
ous connection to the Internet for mobile phone and computer users.
The higher data rates permit users totake part invideoconferences and
interact with multimedia Web sites and similar applications using mo-
bile handhelddevices as well as notebookcomputers. GPRSis basedon
Global Systemfor Mobile(GSM) communicationandwill complement
existing services such circuit---switched cellular phone connections and
the Short Message Service (SMS)].Phase 1 of GPRS became commer-
cially available in 2000/1.
GPS Global Positioning System, H.5 . . . . . . . . . . .
GPS DTO GPS Development Test Objective (Shuttle payload) . . . . . .
3509
GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment . . . . . . . .
GRAS Ground Regional Augmentation System (of Australia) . . . . . . . . .
GRAS GNSS Receiver for Atmospheric Sounding (receiver on MetOp, etc.) . . . . . . . . .
GRB Gamma Ray Burst (GRBs represent the strongest radiative energy . . . . . . . . . .
phenomena in the universe known to astronomers)
GRDC Global Runoff Data Center (Bundesanstalt fr Gewsserkunde --- Fed- . . . . . . . . .
eral Institute of Hydrology, Koblenz, Germany). GRDC operates un-
der the auspices of WMO with funding provided by Germany.
GRGS Groupe de Recherches de Godsie Spatiale (Grasse and Toulouse, . . . . . . . . .
France)
GRID (UNEP) Global Resources Information Database (at EDC) for the . . . . . . . . .
purpose of analyzing environmental data
GRIP Greenland Icecore Project . . . . . . . . . .
GRO Global Radio Occultation (technique) . . . . . . . . . .
GRSS Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society . . . . . . . . . .
GSA GNSS Supervisory Agency (Europe). GSAis a legal entity to sign Gali- . . . . . . . . . . .
leo contracts and oversee the Galileo infrastructure and operations on
behalf of the public interest. Also management of signal certification
and system security.
GSC Geological Survey of Canada . . . . . . . . . . .
GSCB Ground Segment Coordination Body (an ESA group established in . . . . . . . . . .
2005 and composed of member---state agencies managing EO data
groundsegments). Afirst task of GSCBis to coordinate the groundseg-
ment anddata management of themost important EuropeanandCana-
dian EO missions during the lifetime of Copernicus (formerly GMES).
A main objective is the harmonization of the ground segments at the
European level (joint interoperability standards for seamless and har-
monized access to heterogeneous EO datasets).
GSCDA GMES Space Component Data Access (also spelling of GSC---DA). . . . . . . . .
GSCDAis an ESAproject started in 2007 to provide standardinterface
services to data archives.
GSD Ground---Sampling Distance (spatial resolution). . . . . . . . . . . .
GSE GMES Services Element (ESA) . . . . . . . . . . .
GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, USA. GSFC was . . . . . . . . . .
namedinhonor of the USphysicist Robert H. Goddard (1882---1945), a
pioneer of modern rocket propulsion (along with Konstantin Eduordo-
vich Tsiolkovsky of Russia and Hermann Oberth of Germany)
GSI Geological Survey Institute (Japan) . . . . . . . . . . . .
GSICS Global Space---based Inter---Calibration System. GSICS is an interna- . . . . . . . . .
tional collaborative effort initiated in 2005 by WMO and the CGMS to
monitor and harmonize data quality from operational weather and en-
vironmental satellites of the Global Observing System (GOS).
6174)
GSLV Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (a three---stage ISRO . . . . . . . . . .
launcher, since 1999, of PSLV heritage)
GSM Global Systemfor Mobiles (digital cellular standard of ETSI, 2nd gen- . . . . . . . . . .
eration). The GSM network is terrestrial and practically global in its
coverage. In 1989, GSM responsibility was transferred to ETSI
(European Telecommunication Standards Institute).
GSO Geosynchronous Orbit [refers to a S/Cwith an orbital period matching . . . . . . . . . . .
the rotationrate of the Earth(sidereal day), the orbital plane andshape
are of general nature)
GSOC German Space Operations Center (DLRfacility in Oberpfaffenhofen, . . . . . . . . .
Germany)
GSS Gatineau Satellite Station (since October 1985). GSS is owned by . . . . . . . . . . .
NRCan (Natural Resources Canada) and operated by CCRS (Canada
Centre for Remote Sensing).
_____________________
6174) http://gsics.wmo.int/
3510
GSSAC German Space Situational Awareness Center (since 2009) . . . . . . . .
GSTB GalileoSystemTest Bed --- agroundsegment andaspace segment (with . . . . . . . . . .
regard to the space segment, it refers to 2 satellites of the European
Galileo navigation system). One test satellite, GSTB---V2/A, is being
built by SSTL, UK; the other S/C, GSTB---V2/B, is being built by the
Galileo Industries consortium. The GSTB is subdivided into two main
development steps, Version 1 (V1) and Version 2 (V2). The V2 part
deals with the satellites, while the V1 part deals with such issues as in-
tegrity, orbit determination and time synchronization, algorithms, etc.
GSTDN Ground---Station Tracking and Data Network (old NASA network) . . . . . . . .
G/T (receiver) Gain / (noise) Temperature . . . . . . . . . . .
GTCP Global Tropospheric Chemistry Program (NSF program) . . . . . . . . . .
GTE Global Tropospheric Experiment (a NASA program) . . . . . . . . . . .
GTE/CITE Global Tropospheric Experiment/Chemical Instrumentation Test and . . . . .
Evaluation (campaigns)
GTO Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit . . . . . . . . . . .
GTOS Global Terrestrial Observing System (WMO, UNESCO, IOC, FAO, . . . . . . . . .
ICSU)
GTRF Galileo Terrestrial Reference Frame (coordinate system of the Euro- . . . . . . . . .
pean radionavigation system)
GTRI Georgia Tech Research Institute, Atlanta, GA . . . . . . . . . .
GTS Global Telecommunications System (of the World Meteorological Or- . . . . . . . . . . .
ganization (WMO))
GULFEX Gulf Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
H
H
2
O Water . . . . . . . . . . .
H
2
O
2
Hydrogen peroxide . . . . . . . . . .
HAALDM High Accuracy Absolute Long Distance Metrology . . . . . .
HALCA Highly Advanced Laboratory for Communications and Astronomy (a . . . . . . . .
SVLBI satellite of ISAS, Japan, Launch Feb. 12, 1997)
HALE High Altitude Long Endurance (aircraft, also campaign) . . . . . . . . .
HALE---UAV High Altitude Long Endurance --- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle . . .
HALO HighAltitude andLOng RangeResearchAircraft (of DLR, Germany). . . . . . . . . .
HALO is based on a Gulfstream G 550 ultra---long range business jet.
HAPEX Hydrologic and Atmospheric Pilot Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
HaRP Hawaiian Rainbow Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
HBr Hydrogen bromide . . . . . . . . . . .
HBT Heflex Bioengineering Test (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
HCMM Heat Capacity Mapping Mission (NASA sensor), A.21 . . . . . . . .
HCHO (CH
2
O) Formaldehyde . . . . . . . . .
HCl Hydrogen chloride . . . . . . . . . . .
HCT HgCdTe (detector type, see also MCT) . . . . . . . . . . .
HDDT High Density Digital Tape . . . . . . . . .
HDP Human Dimensions Programme (of ISSC) . . . . . . . . . . .
HDT High Density Tape . . . . . . . . . .
HDTV High---Definition Television (a standard) . . . . . . . . .
HDLC High---Level Data Link Control (bit---oriented protocol) . . . . . . . . .
HEB Hot Electron Bolometer (receiver type used in microwave spectrome- . . . . . . . . . .
ters, etc.)
HELCOM Helsinki Commission (since 1974, an intergovernmental organization . . . . . .
of all countries surrounding the Baltic Sea to protect the Baltic Sea)
HELIOS---I AEuropeanmilitary optical reconnaissance satellite project (Earthob- . . . . .
servation) sponsoredby France (78.9%), Italy (14.1%) and Spain(7%).
Helios---IAwas launched July 7, 1995. Helios---IBwas launched Dec. 3,
1999 on an Ariane 4 vehicle from Kourou. Both satellites were built by
MMS of Toulouse. Helios---IB, nearly an identical twin of Helios---IA,
3511
has a launch mass of 2544 kg (design life of 5 years, power = 2.2 kW).
The Helios S/C bus is almost identical to the SPOT---4 platform. Atti-
tude is measuredby star sensors andtwo---axis gyros, actuators arereac-
tion wheels and magnetic torquers. Both S/Care in a sun---synchronous
orbit (altitude =680 km, inclination =98, period =98 minutes), 180
apart to optimize coverage. The optical imaging systemis referred toas
EPV (Ensemble de Prise de Vues), built by Alcatel Space, it uses CCD
line array detectors andprovides a spatial resolutionof about 1 m. On---
board storage is provided by two digital tape recorders for each S/C,
eachwitha capacity of 120 Gbit. Helios---IBhas in additiona solidstate
memory of 9 Gbit. All imagery is encrypted anddownlinked inX---band
at 50 Mbit/s (TT&C encrypted in S---band at 2 kbit/s). CNES provides
S/C operations from Toulouse. The Helios ground segment comprises
three user centers at Creil (Italy), Madrid (Spain), and CPFH (Main
Helios Center France). Imagery is received at ground stations of the
three partner countries [Maspalomas (Spain), Colmar (France), and
Lecce (Italy)].
6175)
HELIOS---II Secondgeneration of European military reconnaissance satellites (suc- . . . .
cessor to Helios---1B) sponsored by France (DGA), Italy, Spain and
Belgium(S/Cbuilt by Astrium). As of 2002 two new Helios S/C are un-
der construction, Helios---IIA and ---IIB, with the first to be ready for
launch in late 2004, if needed (each S/C has a mass of 4200 kg, EADS
Astrium as prime contractor). The new EVP optical instrument of Al-
catel features ahigher spatial resolutionanda higher spectral range(in-
cluding an IR band) than the first generation instrument.
Helios A NASA---sponsored aircraft, a prototype ultra---lightweight solar--- . . . . . . . . .
electric flying wing. First test flight in Aug. 2001. Helios has a capability
to serve as a platform for high---altitude environmental monitoring.
Helios---1 AGerman space probe of DFVLR, launched Dec. 10, 1974 into a solar . . . . . . .
orbit.
Helios---2 A German space probe of DFVLR, launched Jan. 15, 1976 into a solar . . . . . . .
orbit.
HELSTF High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility [a US DoDnational test facili- . . . . . . .
ty at WSMR (White Sands Missile Range), NM, supporting laser re-
search, development, test and evaluation. HELSTF was established in
1985 as a tri ---service test andevaluationfacility for all high energy laser
work. MIRACL (Mid---Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser ) is located
at WSMR]
HEMT High Electron Mobility Transistor (receiver type for microwave . . . . . . . . .
spectrometers)
HEO Highly---elliptical Earth Orbit . . . . . . . . . .
HERCULES Hand---held, Earth---oriented, Real ---time, Cooperative, User--- . . . .
friendly, Location---targeting and Environmental System (Shuttle ex-
periment)
HES Hitchhiker Ejection System. HES provides a capability to eject a pay- . . . . . . . . . . .
load from a GAS (Get Away Special) canister on Shuttle.
HES Hyperspectral Environmental Suite (GOES---R instrument in study/ . . . . . . . . . . .
planning phase by NOAA and NASA) Note: the former name of HES
was ABS (Advanced Baseline Sounder)
HESS High---Latitude Ecosystems as Sources and Sinks of Trace Gases . . . . . . . . . .
(IGBP/IGAC)
HETE High Energy Transient Experiment (MIT payload, built by AeroAstro . . . . . . . . .
of Herndon, VA)
HEW Half Energy Width(of the point response), anangular resolutionmeas- . . . . . . . . . .
urement in X---ray observations.
HF High Frequency (3 --- 30 MHz band) . . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6175) Helios, Europes eye in the sky, CNES Magazine, No 7, Nov. 1999
3512
HF Hydrogen fluoride . . . . . . . . . . . .
HgCdTe Mercury Cadmium Telluride (mercadtelluride, a detector material) . . . . . . . .
also referred to as MCT and HCT
HgI
2
Mercury Iodine (a detector material) . . . . . . . . . . .
HGF Hermann von Helmholtz---Gemeinschaft Deutscher Forschungszen- . . . . . . . . . .
tren, Bonn (named after Hermann von Helmholtz, 1821 --- 1894). Six-
teen German research centers are members of HGF, an association
withthe objective tocoordinate andfoster interdisciplinary research, to
share expensive technical equipment of their infrastructure, to cooper-
ate on long---term system solutions, and to transfer new technology for
industrial applications. All HGFcenters are government---funded, they
employ a total of about 23,000 persons with a budget of 3.6 billion DM
in 1996. The following institutions are members of HGF:
AWI (Alfred---Wegener---Institut fr Polar--- und Meeresforschung,
since 1980, Bremerhaven and Potsdam)
DESY (Deutsches Elektronen Synchrotron, Hamburg, since 1959)
DKFZ (Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, since 1964)
DLR (Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fr Luft--- und Raumfahrt)
FZK (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe)
GBF (Gesellschaft fr Biotechnologische Forschung, Braunschweig)
GFZ (GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam, since 1992)
GKSS (Gesellschaft fr Kernergieverwertung in Schiffbau und Schif-
fahrt, Geesthacht)
GMD (Gesellschaft fr Mathematik und Datenverarbeitung, since
1968, German National Research Center of Information Technology,
St. Augustin, and Darmstadt)
GSF (Forschungszentrum fr Umwelt und Gesundheit, Neuherberg)
GSI (Gesellschaft fr Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt)
HMI (Hahn---Meitner---Institut, Berlin)
IPP (Max---Planck---Institut fr Plasmaphysik, Garching)
KFA (Forschungszentrum Jlich)
MDC (Max---Delbrck---Zentrum fr Molekulare Medizin, Berlin)
UFZ (Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig---Halle)
HH Hitchhiker (a Shuttle flight carrier system offered by NASA for small . . . . . . . . . . . .
payloads, offering the provision of extended functional features) HH---
Sstands for sidewall mounting, HH---Cstands for cross bay mounting
HH Horizontal transmit --- Horizontal receive polarization . . . . . . . . . . . .
HILAT High Latitude Satellite (a US military satellite of the USAF with a . . . . . . . . .
launch date of Jun. 27, 1983 from VAFB, 754 km perigee, 818 km apo-
gee, inclination = 82). HILAT was a space technology mission. AIM
(Auroral Ionospheric Mapper) built by APL was one of its sensors.
HIP Heterojunction Internal Photoemission (detector technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
HiPER High Power Electric propulsion: a Roadmap for the future (a project . . . . . . . . .
co---funded by the EU within the FP7 program). Three different EP
concepts are considered as the candidates with the highest application
potential: Hall Effect Thruster (HET), GriddedIonEngines (GIE) and
MagnetoPlasmaDynamic Thrusters (MPDT)
HIVAC Highly Integrated Video Acquisition Chain. An ESA project with the . . . . . . . .
objective to develop on the same die and based on a commercial tech-
nology: a) Front---endfunctions toaccommodate CCDandAPSdetect-
ors; b) Analog---to---Digital Conversion function; c) Digital Interfaces
to a SpaceWire network. Within the framework of HIVAC, an ASIC is
developed called VASP (Video Acquisition Signal Processor).
HMA Heterogeneous Mission Access (a technique which is being implemen- . . . . . . . . . .
ted for the ground segment of the Copernicus (formerly GMES) pro-
gram in Europe to accomplish coherent access to archives to support
scientific exploitation like the Climate Change Initiative). HMA is be-
3513
ing implementedby ESA, DLR, CNES, EUMETSAT, MDA(RADAR-
SAT), INTA, etc.
HNO
3
Nitric acid . . . . . . . . .
HO
x
(HOx) Odd hydrogen (OH, HO
2
, H
2
O
2
) . . . . .
HOCl Hypochlorous acid . . . . . . . . . .
HOLOP Holographic Optics Laboratory (Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . .
HOST HST Orbital Systems Test Platform (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
HPBW Half Power Beam Width . . . . . . . . .
HPCG Hand---held Protein Crystal Growth (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
HPP Heat Pipe Performance (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
HPT Heterojunction Phototransistor (optoelectronic component which . . . . . . . . . . .
combines both optical detection and electrical gain ina single element)
HPTE High Precision Tracking Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
HRG Hemispherical Resonant Gyroscope (an inertial pointing device of . . . . . . . . . .
Northrop Grumman). HRG is part of the scalable SIRU (Space Iner-
tial Reference Unit). HRGis flownonthe Messenger and DeepImpact
missions. HRG technology has been used in commercial, government
and civil space missions for domestic and international customers and
has been launched aboard more than 125 spacecraft.
HRIT High Rate Information Transmission (a standard digital broadcast ser- . . . . . . . . . .
vice used in meteorological satellites)
HRPT High Resolution Picture Transmission (NOAA broadcast technique in . . . . . . . . .
S---band at frequencies of 1698.0 and 1707.0 MHz; data from all
AVHRRchannels (plus TOVS and SEM) is provided at full 1.1 kmres-
olution)
HRSGS---A High Resolution Shuttle Glow Spectroscopy (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
HRTI---3 High Resolution Terrain. Information---3 [a high---precision DEM . . . . . . .
(Digital Elevation Model)]
HRTS High Resolution Telescope and Spectrograph (Shuttle, Spacelab---2, a . . . . . . . . . .
30 cm, f/15 Gregorian telescope, spectrograph inUVrange 1170---1700
, and a spectroheliograph observing at 1550 )
HRWS High Resolution Wide Swath (a new SAR concept under definition in . . . . . . . . .
2007 to obtain wide swath observations as well as high resolution SAR
imagery)
HSC Hughes Space &Communications Company (since 1961), anoperating . . . . . . . . . . .
unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation, Los Angeles, CA. HSC is a
manufacturer (world leader) of communication satellites (over 40%of
market share). Provider of several standard platforms like HS 376 for
spin---stabilized satellites, the HS 601 series is body---stabilized; in1995
HSC introduced the body---stabilized HS 702 platform. Manufacturer
of Syncom (first communications satellite, launch 1963), ATS---1 (first
GEO weather satellite, launch in 1966), Pioneer (Venus Probe, 1978),
Galileo (Jupiter Probe, launch 1989). Military satellite builder. --- In
January 2000, the HSC along with subsidiaries Hughes Electron Dy-
namics and Spectrolab were sold to the Boeing Company. They were
reorganized into a business unit called Boeing Satellite Systems
(BSS).
HSCT High---Speed Civil Transport (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
HSFL Hawaii Space Flight Laboratory (since 2007) at the University of . . . . . . . . . .
Hawaii, Manoa
HSO Herschel Space Observatory [an ESA astrophysics mission with a . . . . . . . . . . .
planned launch in 2007, formerly known as FIRST (Far Infrared Sub-
millimeter Telescope), operational orbit at Lagrangian point L2]
HSSS Hamilton Sundstand Sensor Systems, Pomona, CA(the parent compa- . . . . . . . . . .
ny of HSSS is United Technologies Corporation)
HST Hubble Space Telescope (Shuttle launch) . . . . . . . . . . .
HSRP High---Speed Research Program (NASA) . . . . . . . . . .
3514
HTML HyperText Markup Language . . . . . . . . .
HTS High---(Tc) Temperature Superconductivity, refers to material temper- . . . . . . . . . . .
ature Tc levels above those of liquidhelium[thetechnology is employed
in sensor design, thin---film applications, MRI (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging), wireless communication filters, and ultra---fast computer
chips]
HTSQUID High---(Tc) Temperature SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Inter- . . . . .
ference Device)
HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol . . . . . . . . . .
HTV H---II Transfer Vehicle of JAXA. HTV is an ISS transfer vehicle, a . . . . . . . . . . .
Japanese---built automated, unmanned cargo vehicle to deliver sup-
plies to ISS. HTV does not provide an automated docking system.
Hence, on arrival at ISS, HTVrequires docking assistance fromthe ISS
using the SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System). The
first flight of HTV is planned for 2009.
Hughes Hughes Electronics Corporation, a worldwide operating company with . . . . . . . .
HQ in Los Angeles, CA(a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors
Corporation founded in 1985). The conglomerate consists of: Hughes
Aircraft Company, Hughes Telecommunications & Space (largest
manufacturer in the world of telecommunication satellites), Hughes
Network Systems, DIRECTVInc., andDelcoElectronics Corporation.
HSC is part of Hughes Telecommunications & Space. In 2000, Hughes
Electronics Corporation sold its satellite manufacturing business to
Boeing Company.
Hughes (HAC) Hughes Aircraft Company, (since 1932, founded by Howard Hughes), . .
part of Hughes Electronics Corporation, with HQ in Arlington, VA, a
technology company withthree major operating units: InformationSys-
tems (Reston, VA), Sensor & Communications Systems, and Weapons
Systems. SBRC(as of 1996 SBRS, builder of Landsat instruments, MSS,
TM, monolithic infrared focal plane arrays, etc.) is part of Sensor &
Communications Systems
HUT Helsinki University of Technology (Helsinki, Finland); note: as of 2007 . . . . . . . . . .
there is also the abbreviation TKK (Teknillinen Korkea Koulu), the
Finish name of the university
HUT Hopkins Ultraviolet Telescope (part of Shuttle ASTRO observatory) . . . . . . . . . .
HV Horizontal transmit --- Vertical receive polarization . . . . . . . . . . . .
HYDROMET Committee for Hydrometeorology (USSR/CIS agency in the field of . .
Meteorology)
HypSEO HyperSpectral Earth Observer (an ASI mission in preparation, . . . . . . .
planned flight in 2003)
HWRP Hydrology and Water Resources Programme (WMO) . . . . . . . . .
I
IAA International Academy of Astronautics (Paris, France). A non---gov- . . . . . . . . . . .
ernmental organization established in Stockholm (Sweden) on August
16, 1960.
IAASS International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety. The . . . . . . . . .
IAASS was legally established in April 2004 in the aftermath of the
Shuttle Columbia accident (Feb. 1, 2003) by a group of safety engineers
involved in the International Space Station Program.
IAC Information Analytical navigation Center, Russia, established by Ros- . . . . . . . . . . .
kosmos in 1995. IAC (MCC in Russian) provides GLONASS and GPS
satellite ranging services. IAC supports GLONASS data archiving and
distribution for the Russian and world community.
IAC International Astronautical Congress (of IAF, IAA, AIAA, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . .
I2C (I
2
C) Inter---IntegratedCommunication[a low---speeddata (upto400kbit/s) . . . . . . .
and control bus in consumer, telecommunications and industrial elec-
tronics]
3515
IACG Inter---Agency Consultative Group [an international forum of the . . . . . . . . . .
Space Agencies (NASA, ESA, ISAS, Rosaviakosmos, etc.) inparticular
for the planning andcoordinationof space science missions], since 1981
IAE Inflatable Antenna Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency (a UN organization to promote . . . . . . . . . .
the peaceful use of nuclear energy, since July 1957, HQs in Vienna,
Austria)
IADC Inter---Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee . . . . . . . . . .
IAF International Astronautical Federation (Paris) . . . . . . . . . . .
IAFE Institute of Astronomy and Space Physics (Argentina) . . . . . . . . . .
IAG International Association of Geodesy . . . . . . . . . . .
IAGA International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy . . . . . . . . . .
IAHS International Association of Hydrological Sciences . . . . . . . . . .
IAI Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., formerly Israel Aircraft Industries . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ltd. (government---ownedcompany, of Lod, Israel, manufacturer of Is-
raels Ofeqreconnaissance satellite series, Amos communicationsatel-
lites, EROS, TecSAR, etc.)
IAI/MBT IAI/Mifal Beth. MBT stands for the Hebrew translation of MIFAL . . . . . . .
BETH(or its abbreviationof MABAT) whichmeans the secondplant,
since it was the second plant established by IAI in the 1960s. The He-
brew name of MABAT remained with the corresponding English acro-
nym of MBT. MBT---Space is the space division of IAI. MBT---Space
designs, builds and operates LEO observation satellites for IAI.
IAIN International Association of Institutes of Navigation (since 1975) . . . . . . . . . .
IALA International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Light- . . . . . . . . . .
house Authorities
IALA---NET IALA---NET demonstrator is a near real time AIS data exchange ser- . . . .
vice, provided via the Internet, with a capacity for storage of AIS data
for statistical purposes. It is a worldwide service only open to national
Authorities who provide the AIS data fromtheir own country. The ser-
vice is intended to assist these Authorities to fulfill their duties regard-
ing safety, security, protection of marine environment and efficiency of
navigation.
IAMAP International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Physics . . . . . . . .
IAMAS International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences . . . . . . . .
IAP Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Moscow . . . . . . . . . . . .
IAPSO International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (one . . . . . . . . .
of seven associations of IUGG, which in turn is a union of ICSU)
IARU International Amateur Radio Union (since 1925, the federation of Na- . . . . . . . . . .
tional Amateur Radio Societies)
IAS Institut dAstrophysique Spatiale (Verrires---le---Buisson, France, lab . . . . . . . . . . . .
is part of CNRS)
IASC International Arctic Science Committee (Arctic Centre, University of . . . . . . . . . .
Lapland, Finland)
IASIS Interbranch Association Sovinformsputnik (commercial distributor of . . . . . . . . . .
imagery from Russian defense satellites, Moscow)
IAPRS International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (of . . . . . . . . .
ISPRS)
IARU International Amateur Radio Union (a federation of national amateur . . . . . . . . . .
radio societies)
IAU International Astronomical Union . . . . . . . . . . .
IBAMA Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambientes Dos Recursos Naturais Reno- . . . . . . . .
vaveis (Brazil)
IBC Impurity Band Conduction (detector technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
IBFRA International Boreal Forest Research Association (since 1991) . . . . . . . . .
IBFRA---SRF IBFRA --- Stand Replacement Fire (working group) . . .
IBSE Initial Blood Storage Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
3516
IBSFC International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission . . . . . . . . .
IBSS InfraredBackgroundSignature Survey (satellite of the USAFdeployed . . . . . . . . . . .
on STS---39) IBSS was retrieved by the Shuttle on May 2, 1991.
ICA International Cartographic Association . . . . . . . . . . .
ICAE International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity . . . . . . . . . .
ICARE Data Processing and Management Center hosted at USTL (Universit . . . . . . . .
des Sciences et Techniques de Lille), Lille, France. Note: ICARE is a
research structure set up in 2003 on a national level and consisting of
CNES, INSU, USTL, etc. (all research laboratories) --- to study aero-
sol ---cloud---radiation interactions and the water cycle (cloud proper-
ties, atmospheric chemistry) and using data from various missions
(PARASOL, Calipso, Megha---Tropiques, etc.).
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization . . . . . . . . . .
ICAT Incubator---Cell Attachment Test (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
ICBC IMAX Cargo Bay Camera (Shuttle), a 65 mm color motion picture . . . . . . . . . .
camera
ICBM Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Russia offers commercially four . . . . . . . . . .
types of converted ICBMs for satellite launches. The types Rockot
and Strela are based on the SS---19 Stiletto missile; Dnepr is based
on the SS---18 Satan missile; Start is a converted SS---20 missile. The
Rockot launch vehicle Rockot is a joint venture of Eurockot Launch
Services GmbH, Bremen, Germany and of KhSC (Khrunichev Space
Center), Moscow. ISC Kosmotras of Moscow markets the Dnepr ve-
hicle. The Start (Start---1) vehicle is marketed by Puscovie Uslugi of
Moscow.
ICC Instrument Control Center (EOSDIS Facility) . . . . . . . . . . .
ICC Integrated Cargo Carrier (Shuttle payload, first flown on STS---96). . . . . . . . . . . .
ICC is an unpressurized flat bed pallet and keel yoke assembly.
Constructed of aluminum, it is 2.5 m long, 4.5 m wide and 25 cm thick
and has the capability to carry cargo (upto about 1350 kg) on bothfaces
of the pallet, both atop and below. The ICC is used by astronauts
throughout the construction of the Space Station as it transports hard-
ware from locations on the stations exterior to work sites on the truss
assemblies.
ICDP International Continental Scientific Drilling Program . . . . . . . . . .
ICE International Cirrus Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
ICE International Cometary Explorer (renamed ISEE---3 mission), K.21.2 . . . . . . . . . . .
ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea . . . . . . . . . .
ICESCAPE Impacts of Climate on Ecosystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific . . . . .
Environment (NASAs first dedicated oceanographic field campaign
starting in June 2010 and in 2011). ICESCAPE takes to the sea on the
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy, the United States newest and most
technologically advancedpolar icebreaker. Akey focus of the missionis
how changes in the Arctic may be altering the oceans ability to absorb
carbon from the atmosphere. The greenhouse gas carbon dioxide is a
leading cause of global warming. --- In2012, theunexpectedfindings are
a rainforest of phytoplankton growth in the Arctic Ocean.
6176) 6177)
ICES International Conference on Environmental Systems . . . . . . . . . .
ICES ISS CubeSat Ejection System . . . . . . . . . .
ICET International Center for Earth Tides . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6176) Kevin R. Arrigo1,Donald K. Perovich, Robert S. Pickart, Zachary W. Brown, Gert L. van Dijken, Kate E. Lowry,
Matthew M. Mills, Molly A. Palmer, WilliamM. Balch, Frank Bahr, Nicholas R. Bates, Claudia Benitez--- Nelson,
Bruce Bowler, Emily Brownlee, Jens K. Ehn, Karen E. Frey, Rebecca Garley, Samuel R. Laney, Laura Lubelczyk,
Jeremy Mathis, Atsushi Matsuoka, B. Greg Mitchell, G. W. K. Moore, Eva Ortega--- Retuerta, Sharmila Pal, Chris
M. Polashenski, Rick A. Reynolds, Brian Schieber, Heidi M. Sosik, Michael Stephens, James H. Swift, Massive
PhytoplanktonBlooms Under Arctic Sea Ice, Science15 June2012, Vol. 336, No. 6087, p. 1408, DOI: 10.1126/sci-
ence.1215065
6177) Tony Phillips, Unprecedented blooms of ocean plant life, NASA, June 8, 2012, URL: http://science.nasa.gov/science--- news/science--- at---
nasa/2012/08jun_arcticbloom/
3517
ICG International Committee on GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Sys- . . . . . . . . . . .
tems). The ICGMembers are: China, European Union, United States,
India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Nigeria, Malaysia, UAE (United Arab
Emirates) and international organizations such as: ESA, BIPM, UPS,
EUREF (European Reference Frame --- IAG Reference Frame Sub---
Commissionfor Europe), FIG, IAG, IAIN, IGS, NUOOSAandURSI.
The United Nation Office OOSAprovide Secretariat for the ICG, sup-
porting meetings preparation and conduction and planning activities.
ICIC Intercalibrations/Intercomparisons (IGBP/IGAC focus 7 activity) . . . . . . . . . . .
ICOS Integrated Carbon Observation System. ICOS is a European Research . . . . . . . . . .
Infrastructure recognized by the ESFRI (European Strategy Forumon
Research Infrastructures) gathering institutes from17 countries across
Europe. ICOS aims at quantifying and understanding long---lived
greenhouse gas fluxes over regions of the Europeancontinent andadja-
cent areas.
ICRF International Celestial Reference Frame (first realizationwas adopted . . . . . . . . . .
by the IAU in 1997; ICRF is maintained by the IAU, IERS and IVS)
ICRF2 International Celestial Reference Frame 2 (an improved realization of . . . . . . . . .
ICRF and adopted by the IAU General Assembly in August 2009; ef-
fective use started on January 1, 2010). ICRF2 uses observations of ap-
proximately 3,000 quasars. The ICRFmaps are useful for navigationon
Earth and in space.
ICRSS International Commercial Remote Sensing Symposium(of the United . . . . . . . . .
States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation, Inc.)
ICSU International Council of Scientific Unions (HQs inParis, France. ICSU . . . . . . . . . .
is a non---governmental body created in 1931 to promote international
science and its applications. It has a membership of international orga-
nizations (Scientific Unions), national science academies and research
councils, and Scientific Associates. Some committees of ICSU are:
IGBP, SCOPE, SCAR, COSPAR, etc.)
ICWG---EO International Coordination Working Group for Earth Observation . . . . .
IDA Institute of Defense Analysis (since 1957, a DoD nonprofit corpora- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion)
IDEA Intelligent Distributed Execution Architecture (an onboard software . . . . . . . . . .
package of NASA/ARC for onboard planning support)
IDEAL International Decade of of East African Lakes (campaign) . . . . . . . .
IDHT Instrument Data Handling and Transmission (ERS---1 S---band anten- . . . . . . . . . .
na)
IDN International Directory Network (CEOS---defined for databases, for- . . . . . . . . . . .
mer designation PID)
IDS International DORIS Service . . . . . . . . . . . .
i.e. abbreviation (Latin: id est) that is . . . . . . . . . . . .
IEA International Energy Agency (Paris, France, since 1974) . . . . . . . . . . .
IECM Induced Environment Contamination Monitor (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
IEE Institution of Electrical Engineers (London, UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
IEEC Institut DEstudis Espacials de Catalunya (Institute for Space Studies . . . . . . . . . .
of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain)
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
IEF Isoelectric Focusing (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . . .
IEH International EUV Hitchhiker (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
IEICE Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, . . . . . . . . .
Tokyo, Japan
IELV Intermediate Expendable Launch Vehicle (EOS program) . . . . . . . . . .
IEM Integrated Electronics Module . . . . . . . . . . .
IEOS International EarthObserving System(Committee dealingwiththepo- . . . . . . . . . .
licies, principles of data exchange, etc.; partner agencies are: CSA
(Canada), ESA (Europe), NASA (USA), and STA (Japan). Delega-
3518
tions from agencies with operational environmental monitoring satel-
lites: NASDA, MITI, JMA (Japan), EUMETSAT (Europe), NOAA
(USA), AES (Canada). Typical IEOS missions are: ENVISAT (ESA),
EOS/AM---1 (NASA), NOAA---N (NOAA), ADEOS (NASDA), and
TRMM (NASA/NASDA).
IEPC International Electric Propulsion Conference . . . . . . . . . .
IERS International Earth Rotation Service (Central Bureau in Paris, since . . . . . . . . . .
1988)
IERS International Earth Reference System . . . . . . . . . .
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force. IETF develops and promotes Inter- . . . . . . . . . .
net standards, in particular dealing with the TCP/IP and Internet pro-
tocol suite.
I/F Interface . . . . . . . . . . . .
IF Intermediate Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IFAC International Federationof Automatic Control (since 1957). TC(Tech- . . . . . . . . . .
nical Committee) on Atomatic Control in Aerospace (since 1963)
IFAG Institut fr Angewandte Geodsie [Institute of Applied Geodesy --- a . . . . . . . . . .
federal agency under the jurisdiction of the German Ministry of the In-
terior (BMI) with research in the fields of geodesy, cartography and
photogrammetry]. IFAG maintains a central office in Frankfurt/Main
and branch offices in Leipzig, Potsdam, and Berlin. Note: In the late
1990s, IFAG was renamed to BKG (Bundesamt fr Kartographie und
Geodsie.
IFARS Institute for Applied Remote Sensing (Wedel, Germany) . . . . . . . . .
IFE Isoelectric Focusing Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . . .
IFEOS International Forum on Earth Observations Using Space Station Ele- . . . . . . . . .
ments (since 1986)
IFOV Instantaneous Field of View . . . . . . . . . .
IFREE Institute for Frontier ResearchonEarthEvolution, Tokyo, Japan(since . . . . . . . . .
2002, subduction zone research, etc.)
IFREMER Institut Francais de Recherche pour LExploration de la Mer (French . . . . .
Ocean Agency in Brest, France). IFREMER/CERSAT (Centre ERS
dArchivage et de Traitement) is the French ERS Processing and Ar-
chiving Facility (PDF) for satellite data andis part of the Dpartement
dOcanographie Spatiale at IFREMER.
IFSAR Interferometric SAR (measurement technique using two antennas, . . . . . . . . .
sometimes also referred to as InSAR)
IFTI Ioffe Physical Technical Institute (St. Petersburg) . . . . . . . . . . .
IGAC International Global Atmosphere Chemistry (IGBP core program) . . . . . . . . . .
IGACO Integrated Global Atmospheric Chemistry Observations (IGOS stand- . . . . . . . .
ard)
IGAP International Global Programme on Atmospheric Particles . . . . . . . . . .
IGARSS International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium --- since . . . . . . .
1981, sponsored by GRSS (Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society)
IGBP International Geosphere---Biosphere Programme of ICSU (IGBP is . . . . . . . . . .
closely linked, directly or through ICSU, to other international orga-
nizations involved in global change research, including: GCOS, IOC,
IPCC, ISSC, SCOPE, UNEP, WCRP, WMO. Over 50 countries have
national IGBPcommittees and supporting bodies. The IGBPSecretar-
iat is in Stockholm, Sweden)
IGDDS Integrated Global Data Dissemination Service (a component of the . . . . . . . .
WMO Information System)
IGDG Internet---based Global Differential GPS (a NASA/JPLsoftware pack- . . . . . . . . .
age that provides a complete end---to---end systemcapability for GPS---
based real ---time positioning and orbit determination)
3519
IGEB Interagency GPS Executive Board [IGEB (Presidential Decision Di- . . . . . . . . . .
rective as of March 1996) offers some formal civil agency participation
intheGPSprogram. It is jointly chairedby theDoDandDoT, withover-
sight and management of the dual use component of the GPS]
IGEX International GLONASS Experiment, a campaign under the auspices . . . . . . . . . .
of IAG (International Association of Geodesy)
IGFOV Instantaneous Geometric Field of View . . . . . . . .
IGGOS Integrated Global Geodetic Observing System (of IAG). In geodesy, . . . . . . . .
the Earth system is composed of solid geosphere, cryosphere, hydro-
sphere and atmosphere.
iGMAS international GNSS Monitoring &Assessment Service [a subgroup es- . . . . . . . .
tablished in ICG6 (Sixth Meeting of the International Committee on
GNSS)TokyoMeeting (Sept. 2011) with the following goals: 1) tosetup
a global tracking network; 2) to monitor the Multi ---GNSS open signal
andservice performance withnot only Multi ---GNSSgeodetic receivers
but also high gain omni ---directional antennas, multi ---beamantennas]
IGMASS International Global Monitoring Aerospace System (an initiative to . . . . . . .
monitor the environment and to provide disaster warnings on a global
scale --- organized by IAA, the Russian Academy of Cosmonautics,
etc.). IGMASS is supported by the UN organizations, space agencies,
and participants of the First International Specialized Symposium
Space and global security of Humanity, Nov. 2---4, 2009, Limassol,
Cyprus. Scientists, engineers, managers from 18 countries including
Belarus, Canada, Cameroon, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, Ka-
zakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Romania,
Russia, Slovenia, USA, andUkraine have taken part in the Symposium.
6178) 6179) 6180)
IGN Institut Gographique National (French National Geographic Insti- . . . . . . . . . . .
tute, Paris)
IGO Intergovernmental Organization . . . . . . . . . . .
IGOS Integrated Global Observing Strategy (for synergetic effects, since . . . . . . . . . .
1998). IGOS is a partnership by the UNESCO, ICSU. CEOS, etc.
IGOS---P IGOS Partnership (an international effort aimed to globally monitor . . . . . . .
quantitative information on carbon sources, set up in 1999 under
IGOS---P). The TCO (Terrestrial Carbon Observation) initiative is an
effort by space and international organizations within IGOS---P to
employ the best current observation tools and models to build up a
global observing system for tracking carbon fluxes.
IGRF International Geomagnetic Reference Field . . . . . . . . . .
IGS International GNSS Service (since 1993, prior to 2005: International . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPS Service), as of 2006 IGS comprises 200 agencies worldwide and
350 ground stations
IGS InformationGatheringSatellite [aclassifiedJapanesehigh---resolution . . . . . . . . . . . .
imagery reconnaissance program of four spacecraft (two S/C are fur-
nished with SAR instruments and two S/C with optical instruments), a
launchof the first twoIGS satellites took place on March28, 2003]. The
IGS---1a S/C (optical imaging) has a mass of 850 kg at launch, the
IGS---1b S/C (SAR imaging) has a mass of 1200 kg. The IGS S/C were
built by Mitsubishi and are being operated by JIDF (Japan Inter---
Design Forum). The IGS program was approved by the Japanese gov-
_____________________
6178) Resolution of the First International Specialized Symposium Space & Global Security of Humanity, Limassol,
Cyprus, Nov. 2--- 4, 2009, URL: http://iaaweb.org/iaa/Scientific%20Activity/Study%20Groups/SG%20
Commission%204/sg49/sg49cyprusresolution.pdf
6179) Anatoly N. Perminov, Valery A. Menshikov, Realization of the Common Socio Natural Strategy of the Space Ex-
plorationonthe Base of the Global Multifunctional Aerospace Systems, 2
nd
International SymposiumSpace and
Global Securityof Humanity, Riga, Latvia, July 5--- 9, 2010, URL: http://spacesystems.ru/index.php?op-
tion=com_content&task=view&id=48&Itemid=75
6180) ftp://130.206.92.88/Espacio/Mesa%20Redonda%204%20--- %20R2%20--- %20KRU-
NICHEV%20Sapce%20Center%20--- %20S%20V%20CHERKAS.pdf
3520
ernment Dec. 22, 1998 in response to a missile launch by North Korea
onAug. 31, 1998. Optical imagery has a resolutionof 1 mwhile the SAR
data have a ground resolution of 1---3 m.
IGSO Inclined Geosynchronous Orbit (a subclass of GSO) . . . . . . . . . .
IGU International Geographical Union . . . . . . . . . . .
IGY International Geophysical Year [created in 1952 by the ICSU plenary . . . . . . . . . . .
meeting; the first IGY took place in 1957/58 (a year of expected maxi-
mumsolar activity), it coincided also with the start of the space age, the
launch Sputnik---1 on Oct. 4, 1957]. The IGY was inspired by the real-
ization that much better and more complete information about the
Earth and geospace was needed to understand and manage the com-
plete terrestrial environment on which we depend.
IHO International Hydrographic Organization . . . . . . . . . . .
IHP International Hydrology Programme (UNESCO) . . . . . . . . . . .
IHY International Heliophysical Year (2007) . . . . . . . . . . .
IIP Instrument Incubator Program of NASA. The objective is to foster the . . . . . . . . . . . .
development of innovative remote---sensing concepts and the assess-
ment of these concepts in ground, aircraft, or engineering model
demonstrations.
IIP International Ice Patrol . . . . . . . . . . . .
IIST Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. IIST is Indias na- . . . . . . . . . . .
tional institute for the study and development of space science. It was
inaugurated on 14 September, 2007. IIST is located on the VSSC(Vik-
ram Sarabhai Space Centre) campus, Trivandrum, Kerala.
IJSSE International Journal of Small SatelliteEngineering (electronic journal . . . . . . . . . .
on internet, edited at the University of Surrey, UK)
IKF Institut fr Kosmosforschung, Berlin---Adlershof, in former East Ger- . . . . . . . . . . . .
many. Note: as of Jan. 1992 the IKF was renamed Institute of Space
Sensor Technology (ISST), it is part of DLR)
IKI RAN Space Research Institute (of the Russian Academy of Sciences, RAN . . . . . . .
(or RAS, depending on the alphabet), Moscow, Russia; extraterrestrial
physics and remote sensing, since 1965)
IKI---BAN Space Research Institute, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (Sofia, Bul- . . . . . .
garia)
ILEWG International Lunar Exploration Working Group . . . . . . . .
ILL Institut Laue---Langevin (Grenoble, France), leading facility in neu- . . . . . . . . . . . .
tron science and technology
ILIS Ionic Liquid Ion Source (porous ILIS is a thruster technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
ILN International Lunar Network. A proposed network of landed stations . . . . . . . . . . .
on the moon in the 2nd decade of the 21 century by: Canada, France,
Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, UK and the USA. Each of these
stations will act as a node in a lunar geophysical network. Each station
will be equipped with set of instruments: seismic, heat flow, electro---
magnetic sounding and laser ranging.
ILRC International Laser Radar Conference (a conference held biennially . . . . . . . . . .
under the auspices of ICLAS (International Coordination---group for
Laer Atmospheric Studies).
ILRS International Laser Ranging Service was founded in 1998 [a network of . . . . . . . . . .
SLR (Satellite Laser Ranging) stations]. The ILRS Tracking Stations
provideranging toa constellationof artificial satellites (LAGEOS, Eta-
lon, EGS, Starlette, Stella, etc.). EachTracking Stationis typically asso-
ciated with one of the three regional subnetworks: NASA (National
Aeronautics and Space Administration), EUROLAS (EUROpean
LASer Network), or the WPTLN(Western Pacific Laser Tracking Net-
work).
ILS Instrument Landing System . . . . . . . . . . . .
ILS International Launch Services [a joint commercial venture between . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lockheed Martin Corp. (USA), Khrunichev Space Center (KhSC) and
3521
RKK Energia (Russia), offering of Atlas and Proton launch systems.
The first ILS launch occurred in Sept. 1996 (Inmarsat---3 from Baiko-
nur); sinceApril 15, 1993 all commercial contracts, involving theProton
launch vehicle, are handled by ILS.
ILWS International Living Witha Star (initiative of space agencies onaglobal . . . . . . . . . .
scale, since 2000) see also LWS
IMAGES International Marine Global Change Study (IGBP project) . . . . . . .
IMAU Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research Utrecht (University of . . . . . . . . .
Utrecht, The Netherlands)
IMAX Image Maximum(a large screenmotion picture camera/format usedby . . . . . . . . .
the NASA/Smithsonian project to document significant space activi-
ties)
IMEC Inter---university MicroElectronics Center, Leuven, Belgium. IMECis . . . . . . . . . .
a Flemish government initiative to bundle all microelectronics---re-
lated efforts of the three scientific universities into one independent
non---profit super---lab.
IMET Improved Meteorological Instrumentation (WHOI buoy type) . . . . . . . . . .
IMEX Inner Magnetosphere Explorer, a missionof UMM(University of Min- . . . . . . . . .
nesota at Minneapolis)
IMF Interplanetary Magnetic Field . . . . . . . . . . .
IMINT Imagery Intelligence (IMINT satellites use optical and/or microwave . . . . . . . . .
imagers to produce high resolutionimages of objects inthe grounddeg-
ment)
IMK Institute fr Meteorologie und Klimaforschung (Institute for Me- . . . . . . . . . . .
teorology and Climate Research --- a cooperative institute of the Nu-
clear Research Center Karlsruhe (KfK) and of the University of Karls-
ruhe, Germany)
IML International Microgravity Laboratory (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
IMO International Maritime Organization . . . . . . . . . . .
IMP International Monitoring Platform, K.19 . . . . . . . . . . .
IMS Information Management Systemat GSFC(The top---level function of . . . . . . . . . . .
EOS DAACs)
IMTA Instituto Mexicano de Tecnologica del Agua (Cuernavaca, Mexico) . . . . . . . . . .
IMU Inertial Measurement Unit (navigation instrument on aircraft) . . . . . . . . . . .
INCA Indian National Cartographic Association . . . . . . . . . .
INDEX Indian Ocean Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
INDEX Innovative Technology Demonstration Experiment (of ISAS, Japan) . . . . . . . .
INDOEX Indian Ocean Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
INDREX Indonesian Radar Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
INFN Istituto Nazionale Fisica Nucleare (Italian National Institute of Nu- . . . . . . . . . .
clear Physics), Rome, Italy
Infoterra GmbH Infoterra is a subsidiary of EADS Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen, .
Germany
ING Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (Rome Italy) . . . . . . . . . . .
InAs Indium Arsenide (detector type for IR spectrum) . . . . . . . . . . .
InGaAs Indium Gallium Arsenide (a detector type for IR spectrum) . . . . . . . .
InGaP/GaAs Indium Gallium Phosphorus/Gallium Arsenide (solar cell type) . . . .
INLSE Israel Network for Lunar Science and Exploration . . . . . . . . .
INM Instituto Nacional de Meteorologica (Spanish Weather Service) . . . . . . . . . . .
Inmarsat International Maritime Satellite Organization (London, UK). Inmar- . . . . . . .
sat was chartered as IGO(Intergovernmental Organization) in 1979 to
exploit the emerging satellite technology for mobile communications
and to improve maritime communications (safety at sea). Inmarsat
communication services started in 1982. On April 15, 1999, Inmarsat
became the first IGO to privatize, maintaining its public service.
INO Institut National dOptique, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada . . . . . . . . . . .
3522
InP IndiumPhosphide (semiconductor material andsolar cell type). InPof- . . . . . . . . . . . .
fers in particular higher communication frequencies, hence data rates.
INPE Instituto de Pesquisas Espaciais (National Institute of Space Research, . . . . . . . . . .
Sao Jos dos Campos, S.P., Brazil, since 1971)
INQUA International Union for Quaternary Research (of ICSU) . . . . . . . .
INR Image Navigation and Registration (GOES Second Generation S/C, . . . . . . . . . . .
MTG S/C, etc. )
INRA Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (Grignon andMontfa- . . . . . . . . . .
vet, France)
In---RIMT IndianResources InformationandManagement Technologies Pvt. Ltd, . . . . . .
Hyderabad, India
INS Inertial Navigation System (for aircraft/spacecraft navigation) . . . . . . . . . . . .
INS Institute of Nuclear Physics, (New Zealand) . . . . . . . . . . . .
INSA Ingenieria y Servicios Aeroespaciales, Madrid, Spain (Fuego mission . . . . . . . . . .
coordinator, etc.); INSAwas created in1992 andis ownedby INTA, the
Space Agency of Spain. INSA is one of the main companies providing
technical support and services for the ESA astronomy and solar mis-
sions at ESAC (European Space Astronomy Center), located at Villa-
franca del Castillo near Madrid.
InSAR Interferometric SAR . . . . . . . . .
INSAT Indian National Satellite (series, employed for meteorology and com- . . . . . . . . .
munication), F.6
INSPIRE Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe [EUframework, star- . . . . . . .
ted in 2007, of interoperability is being developed to share data for Co-
pernicus (GMES), etc.]
IN---STEP In---Space Technology Experiments Program(NASA, initiated in1992) . . . . . .
INSU Institut National des Sciences de lUnivers (Paris, part of CNRS) . . . . . . . . . .
InSb Indium antimonide (detector type material for infrared region) . . . . . . . . . . .
INTA Instituto National de Tcnica Aeroespacial, Madrid, Spain (INTA was . . . . . . . . . .
created in 1942). INTA is also the Space Agency of Spain and has ESA
membership since 1980.
Intelsat International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Washing- . . . . . . . . .
ton, DC). Intelsat, a government---owned satellite operator (of the In-
telsat series), became a private company in July 2001. In 2005, Intelsat
bought PanAmSat to create the worlds largest provider of fixed satel-
lite services (FSS).
INTERBALL IKI mission program (solar---terrestrial interaction) within ISTP, K.20 . . .
Intercosmos USSR/CIS space program for collaborative science projects among its . . . . .
nine members and with other nations. Intercosmos was created in 1967
inviting the former Soviet---affiliated countries (like, East---Germany,
Hungary, Bulgaria, Poland, etc.) to participate in the Soviet space pro-
gram with their own national contributions (one area of participation
was in remote sensing, building sensors for specific missions, disse-
mination and scientific interpretation of data, etc. ). Activities in in-
ternational manned space flight missions were also under the label of
Intercosmos. Satellites in the Intercosmos program are named Inter-
cosmos---n, like Intercosmos---19 (launched Feb. 27, 1979).
IOAG Interagency Operations Advisory Group . . . . . . . . . .
IOC Initial Operating Capability (GPS, GLONASS, ) . . . . . . . . . . .
IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (of UNESCO) . . . . . . . . . . .
IOCCG International Ocean---Color Coordinating Group (an international . . . . . . . .
group of experts)
IOCM Interim Operational Contamination Monitor (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
ION Institute of Navigation (Washington, DC, since 1945) . . . . . . . . . . .
IOOS Integrated Ocean Observing System (USA, NOAA is managing the . . . . . . . . . .
IOOS)
IOP Intensive Observation Period (within a campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
3523
IOS Institute for Ocean Sciences (Sydney, British Columbia, Canada) . . . . . . . . . . . .
IOW Institut fr Ostseeforschung Warnemnde (Institute for Baltic Sea Re- . . . . . . . . . . .
search, Warnemnde, Germany)
IP Internet Protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . .
IPACS Integrated Power and Attitude Control Subsystem (NASA develop- . . . . . . . . .
ment of a CMG/energy system)
IPCC Inter---Governmental Panel for Climate Change (set up by WMO and . . . . . . . . . .
UNEP in 1988), an international panel to advise policy makers
IPDA Integrated Path Differential Absorption . . . . . . . . . .
IPG Institute of Applied Geophysics (Moscow, Russia) . . . . . . . . . . .
IPG---Paris Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris . . . . . .
IPGP Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (both acronyms are being used) . . . . . . . . . .
IPMP Investigations into Polymer Membrane Processing (Shuttle experi- . . . . . . . . . .
ment)
IPO Integrated Program Office (Silver Spring, MD), consisting of a team . . . . . . . . . . .
made up of NOAA, NASA and DoD representatives for the develop-
ment of the NPOESS spacecraft series
IPOMS International Polar---Orbiting Meteorological Satellite . . . . . . . .
IPoS Internet Protocol over Satellite (industry standard, as of 2005 global . . . . . . . . . . .
standard)
IPS Instrument Pointing System (Spacelab---2, built by ESA, structure for . . . . . . . . . . . .
mounting telescopes)
IPS Ion Propulsion System . . . . . . . . . . . .
IPSL LInstitut Pierre Simon Laplace pour les Sciences de lEnvironnement . . . . . . . . . . .
(LMD/IPSL, Paris)
IPv4 Internet Protocol version4. IPv4 is a data---orientedprotocol tobe used . . . . . . . . . . .
on a packet switched inter---network (e.g., Ethernet).
IPv6 Internet Protocol version 6. A network layer protocol for packet--- . . . . . . . . . . .
switched inter---networks. IPv6 is an extension of IPv4 with a much lar-
ger address space (next generation standard).
IPY 2007---8 International Polar Year (initiative by ICSU --- from March 2007 to . . . .
March 2009). IPY is an internationally coordinated suite of scientific
fieldcampaigns tostudy climatic andenvironmental changeinthepolar
regions and the connections linking the polar regions to the rest of the
globe.
IPWG International Precipitation Working Group (promotes standards for . . . . . . . . .
operational procedures and common software for deriving precipita-
tion measurements from satellites)
IRAS InfraRed Astronomical Satellite (an astronomy mission of the Nether- . . . . . . . . . .
lands, the USA, and the UK; launch of IRAS Jan. 25, 1983; IRAS
mapped over 250,000 cosmic infrared sources and large areas of ex-
tended emission)
IRCFE Infrared Communications Flight Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . .
IR&D Independent Research & Development (company internal funding) . . . . . . . . .
IRD Institut de Recherche pour le Dveloppement (Paris, France, successor . . . . . . . . . . .
organization to ORSTOM)
IRDT Inflatable Reentry and Descent Technology (ESA reentry vehicle) . . . . . . . . . .
IRED Infrared Emitting Diode . . . . . . . . . .
IRE RAN Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics (of the Russian Acade- . . . . . .
my of Sciences, RAN, in Moscow; founded in 1953, IRE is involved in
remote sensing, etc., also providing general management services)
IRF Swedish Institute of Space Physics [(Institutet fr rymdfysik), a govern- . . . . . . . . . . .
mental research institute with the following divisions: IRF---K (Kiru-
na), IRF---Um (Umea) with a Laboratory of Mechanical Waves and a
Space Physics Group at Umea University, IRF---U (Upsalla), IRF---
STL (Solar Terrestrial Physics) Lund Division]
IR---IE Infrared Imaging Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
3524
IRIS Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology (US) . . . . . . . . . . .
IRIS International Radio Interferometric Surveying (Subcommittee of the . . . . . . . . . . .
International Association of Geodesy)
IRIS Internet Routing in Space (Cisco payload architecture on the Intel- . . . . . . . . . . .
sat---14 S/C)
IRIS Italian Research Interim Stage (upper stage used in conjunction with . . . . . . . . . . .
NASAs Shuttle to place payloads up to 900 kg into geo---transfer orbit)
IRLS Interrogation, Recording and Location Subsystem (French---US Eole . . . . . . . . . .
experiment flown on Nimbus---3 in 1969)
IRM Ion Release Module (S/C of the AMPTE mission, K.4.1) . . . . . . . . . . .
IRMB Institut Royal de Mtorologie Belgique (Royal Meteorological Insti- . . . . . . . . .
tute of Belgium, Brussels) also referred to as KMI/IRM and RMIB
IRNSS Indian Regional Navigation Satellite Systemconsisting of 7 satellites --- . . . . . . . . .
developed by ISRO (a navigation system in GEO --- 3 satellites will be
placed in geostationary orbit and the four others in geosynchronous or-
bit)
IROE --- CNR Istituto Ricerca Onde Elettromagnetiche --- Consiglio Nazionale delle . . .
Ricerche (Florence, Italy)
IRS Information Retrieval System (ESA data system) . . . . . . . . . . . .
IRS Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (ISRO), D.24 (IRS---1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, . . . . . . . . . . . .
1E, etc.)
IRS Inertial Reference System . . . . . . . . . . . .
IRS Institut fr Raumflugsysteme (University of Stuttgart, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . . .
IRSA Institute for Remote Sensing Applications (of JRC, Ispra, Italy. In1996 . . . . . . . . . .
IRSA was renamed to SAI = Space Applications Institute)
IRSA Institute for Remote Sensing Applications, since 1980 (Beijing, Chi- . . . . . . . . . .
nese Academy of Sciences)
IRSC Iranian Remote Secing Center, Tehran, Iran (funded by the Ministry of . . . . . . . . . .
Posts and Telecommunications)
IRSI Infrared Space Interferometer (ESA mission under definition) . . . . . . . . . . .
IRT Infrared Telescope (Spacelab---2 instrument, a 15 cm f/4 Herschelian . . . . . . . . . . . .
telescope)
IRU Inertial Reference Unit . . . . . . . . . . .
ISA Institute of Space Aeronomy (Brussels, Belgium) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ISA Israel Space Agency (since 1983 ---withinthe framework of the Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . .
of Science and Technology)
ISAC Intelsat Solar Array Coupon (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
ISAC ISRO Satellite Center (Bangalore, India) . . . . . . . . . .
ISAC --- CNR Istituto Scienze dellAtmosfera e del Clima, Rome, Italy . . .
ISAIAH Israeli Space Agency Investigationabout Hornets (Shuttleexperiment) . . . . . . . .
ISAL Investigation of STS Atmospheric Luminosities (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
ISAM Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Microscopy . . . . . . . . . .
ISAR Inflatable SAR (a SAR antenna design to reduce mass) . . . . . . . . . .
ISAR Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (a technique used for target identifi- . . . . . . . . . .
cation)
ISAS Institute for Space and Astronomical Science (University of Tokyo, Ja- . . . . . . . . . . .
pan), since 1981
ISAT Information Science and Technology (a study title and program of . . . . . . . . . . .
DARPA to develop new radar technology). For 2009, an ISAT flight
demonstration is planned, namely a SAR spacecraft in MEO.
ISC Kosmotras International Space Company Kosmotras. ISC is a joint venture space . .
launch company of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan with HQ in Mo-
scow (since 1997). Commercial operation of the Dnepr Space Launch
Systembased on SS---18 ICBMtechnology. Launches are conducted at
Baikonur as well as at the Yasny launch base in Dombarovsky, Russia.
ISCCP International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (by ICSU & WMO) . . . . . . . . .
3525
ISDE Institute for Space and Defense Electronics (a research facility at Van- . . . . . . . . . .
derbilt University, Nashville Tennessee, USA)
ISDE (RNII KP) Institute of Space Device Engineering, Moscow; a leading Russian
company in the design and development of sensors; participation in
programs: Venera, Vega, Phobos, Luna, Mars, Prognoz, Granat, Re-
surs, Okean, Glonass, etc.
ISDE International Symposium on Digital Earth . . . . . . . . . .
ISDMA International Space Debris Management Authority . . . . . . . .
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network . . . . . . . . . .
ISECG International Space Exploration Coordination Group (since 2006). . . . . . . . . .
The participating agencies are: ASI (Italy), CNES (France), CNSA
(China), CSA (Canada), CSIRO (Australia), DLR (Germany), ESA
(European Space Agency), ISRO (India), JAXA (Japan), KARI (Re-
public of Korea), NASA(United States of America), SSAU(Ukraine),
Roscosmos (Russia), UKSA (United Kingdom).
6181)
ISEE International Sun Earth Explorer (3 S/C mission), K.21 . . . . . . . . . .
ISET Integrated Systems Engineering Team (a US working group drawn . . . . . . . . . .
fromindustry, academia, andthe national laboratories. The objectiveis
to develop interface standards for ORS (Operationally Responsive
Space) satellite bus/payloads)
ISI ImageSat International, N.V., formerly WIS (West Indian Space) Ltd., . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cayman Islands (a Netherlands Antilles---registered joint venture).
Operator of EROS spacecraft (commercial imagery)
ISIC International Space Innovation Centre (Harwell, Oxfordshire, UK, . . . . . . . . . . .
since 2011). ISICwill track the satellites as they orbit Earth, automatic-
ally managing each satellite as it passes.
ISIC is part of a wider space cluster at Harwell which includes RAL
Space, the UK ESA Centre, the ESA/STFC (Science and Technology
Facilities Council) Business Incubation Centre and a growing number
of commercial organisations. ISIC is a PPP facility.
6182)
ISIDE Innovative Satellite Interactive Digital Entertainment. ISIDE was de- . . . . . . . . .
veloped through ESAs ARTES applications program.
ISIR Infrared Spectral Imaging Radiometer (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
ISIS Intelligent Satellite---Data Information System (a DLR/DFD archival . . . . . . . . . . .
system and service)
ISIS Innovative Solutions InSpace BV(Delft, TheNetherlands, since2006), . . . . . . . . . . .
provider of CubeSat launch services and CubeSat development kits
ISLR Integrated Side Lobe Ratio . . . . . . . . . .
ISLSCP International Satellite Land---Surface Climatology Project (by ICSU . . . . . . . .
and WMO)
ISM Industrial, Scientific and Medical (standard radio bands in the 2.4 GHz . . . . . . . . . . .
range). Bluetooth is a radio technology operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM
frequency band, that is emerging as a low---level and low---power wire-
less communication protocol used for wireless personal area networks
(WPANs).
ISN Institute of Satellite Navigation at the University of Leeds, UK . . . . . . . . . . . .
ISO International Standards Organization (one of three bodies responsible . . . . . . . . . . . .
for the definition of OSI)
ISO Infrared Space Observatory [ESA space science mission (4 instru- . . . . . . . . . . . .
ments) with a launch Nov. 19, 1995, S/Coperation until May, 16, 1998]
_____________________
6181) Junichiro Kawaguchi, Kathleen C. Laurini, Bernhard Hufenbach, Jean--- Claude Piedboeuf, Andrea Lorenzoni,
Britta Schade, Francois Spiero, Global Space Exploration Policies and Plans: Insights from Developing ISECG
roadmap, Proceedings of IAC2011 (62nd International Astronautical Congress), Cape Town, South Africa, Oct.
3--- 7, 2011, paper: IAC--- 11--- E3.2--- 6
6182) Peter M. Allan, IanRaper, JolyonReburn, The International Space Innovation Centre: Earth ObservationHub,
Proceedings of IAC2011 (62nd International Astronautical Congress), Cape Town, South Africa, Oct. 3--- 7, 2011,
paper: IAC--- 11--- B4.3.7
3526
ISON International Scientific Optical Network (ISON is providing space . . . . . . . . . .
debris research/detection in GEO, MEO, HEO and LEO orbits)
ISOPS International Space Conference of Pacific---Basin Societies . . . . . . . . .
ISPR International Standard Payload Rack (a standard research module of . . . . . . . . . .
ISS). ISPRhas a volumeof 1.571m
3
anda net mass of 104 kg. It canhold
up to 700 kg of equipment.
ISPRS International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing . . . . . . . . .
ISPR International Standard Payload Rack (adopted by the ISS program), . . . . . . . . . .
each ISPR provides 1.6 m
3
of space, the rack has a mass of 104 kg and
can accommodate up to 700 kg of payload mass
ISPT In---Space Propulsion Technology, a NASA program since 2001 . . . . . . . . . . .
ISRO Indian Space Research Organization (HQ at Bangalore, since 1969). . . . . . . . . . .
ISRO is is Indias national space agency.
ISRO/IISU ISRO Inertial Systems Unit . . . . .
ISRO/ISAC ISRO Satellite Center (Bangalore, India) . . . . .
ISRO/ISTRAC ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network . .
ISRO/LPSC ISRO Liquid Propulsion Systems Center . . . .
ISRO/MCF ISRO INSAT Master Control Facility . . . . .
ISRO/NRSC ISRO National Remote Sensing Center, (Hyderabad, India) . . . .
ISRO/SAC ISRO Space Applications Center (Ahmedabad, India) . . . . . .
ISRO/SHAR ISRO Sriharikota Range (ISRO launch site, East Coast of India) . . . .
ISRO/VSSC ISRO Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (launch vehicle development), . . . .
located on the south/west coast of India near Trivandrum in Kerela
State.
ISRS International Symposiumon Remote Sensing (of the Korean Society of . . . . . . . . . . .
Remote Sensing)
ISRSE International Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment . . . . . . . . .
ISS International Space Station . . . . . . . . . . . .
ISSC International Social Science Council (UN) . . . . . . . . . . .
ISSDC Indian Space Science Data Center, Bangalore, India. ISSDC (since . . . . . . . . .
2008) is the primary center for payload data of ISRO missions.
ISSF Inuvik Satellite Station Facility (since Aug. 2010). NRCan (Natural Re- . . . . . . . . . . .
sources Canada) is the licensee for the facility.
ISSI International Space Science Institute, Bern, Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . .
IST Instrument Support Terminal (EOSDIS Facility) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ISTC International Science and Technology Center. ISTC is an intergovern- . . . . . . . . . .
mental organization connecting scientists from Russia, Georgia and
other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
ISTP International Solar---Terrestrial Physics Program[involves a total of 12 . . . . . . . . . . .
satellites provided by ESA (SOHO, CLUSTER), NASA [GGS (PO-
LAR, WIND), IMP---8, FAST], IKI (Interball, ECOS---A), ISAS(Geo-
tail)]
ISTRAC ISRO Telemetry and Command Center (Bangalore, India) . . . . . . . .
ISTS Institute for Space andTerrestrial Science (NorthYork, Ontario, Cana- . . . . . . . . . . .
da) Note: Aname change toCREST(Center for Researchin Earthand
Space Technology) took place on Sept. 24, 1997
ISTS Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (Tokyo, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
ISTS International Symposium on Space Technology and Science . . . . . . . . . . .
ISY International Space Year (1992) . . . . . . . . . . . .
ITAR International Traffic in Arms Regulation(US regulations related tothe . . . . . . . . . .
export of satellite and rocket technology). The ITAR rules were de-
signed to protect military---sensitive US---dveloped technologies from
falling into the hands of US adversaries. However, US allies are also
subject to them, even in cases in which the laws applications seem to
have escaped the bounds of its intent.
ITC International Institute for Geo---Information Science and Earth Ob- . . . . . . . . . . . .
servation, Enschede, The Netherlands (since 1950). Note: the former
3527
name was: International Training Centre for Aerial Survey (hence
ITC). ITC is an agency of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sci-
ence.
ITCZ Inter Tropical Conversion Zone . . . . . . . . . .
ITEX Island Thunderstorm Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
ITIR
6183)
Intermediate Thermal Infrared Radiation (EOS sensor); ITIR was re- . . . . . . .
named in 1990 ASTER = Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission
and Reflection Radiometer
ITO Indium Tin Oxide (a light sensitive sensor type) . . . . . . . . . . .
ITOS Improved TIROS Operational System (NOAA S/C) . . . . . . . . . .
ITRF International Terrestrial Reference Frame (established by IERS) . . . . . . . . . .
ITSC International TOVS Study Conference (a yearly event on sounding . . . . . . . . . .
technology)
I---TSP Ionosphere---Thermosphere Storm Probes (NASA Geospace mission) . . . . . . . . .
ITT In 2011, the ITT Corporation split into three companies: ITT, Xylem, . . . . . . . . . . . .
and ITT Exelis.
ITT Exelis Exelis is anITTcompany as of Oct. 31, 2011. Exelis is involvedinC4ISR . . . . . .
(Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Sur-
veillance and Reconnaissance) related products and systems and in-
formation and technical services.
ITT Industries Headquarters in White Plains, NY, USA. ITT builds navigation and . . .
meteorological satellites; ground station design and development; pay-
loadprocessing, launchintegrationandservices; range engineeringand
technical support; simulation, mission planning and on---board proc-
essing software development. In Feb. 2004, ITTacquiredthe RSS(Re-
mote Sensing Systems) division of Eastman Kodak Co.
ITT---A/CD ITTIndustries Inc. Aerospace/Communications Division (Fort Wayne, . . . . .
IN), builder of remote sensing instruments (AVHRR, HIRS, GOES---
series instruments, etc.).
ITT---AES ITT Industries Inc. Advanced Engineering & Sciences with HQ in Re- . . . . . .
ston, VA. AES (defense, telecommunication, information technology)
is in turn part of ITTs Defense Electronics & Services division.
ITU International TelecommunicationUnion(since 1865, founded as Inter- . . . . . . . . . . .
national Telegraphy Union, since 1934 as ITU, since 1947 ITUis a UN
agency to cover standards for a wide range of telecommunication ser-
vices, including frequency allocations standards for fax, ISDN, JPEG,
MPEG, ATM, AIS, etc., Geneva, Switzerland)
ITU---R ITU---Radiocommunication standardization sector (formerly known . . . . . . . .
as CCIR --- responsible for managing efficient use of the radio---fre-
quency spectrum)
ITU---T ITU---Telecommunication standardization sector (formerly CCITT) . . . . . . . .
IUGG International Unionof Geodesy andGeophysics (since 1919, a unionof . . . . . . . . .
ICSU). The international associations of IUGG are: 1) IAG (Interna-
tional Association of Geodesy); 2) IAGA(International Association of
GeomagnetismandAeronomy); 3) IAHS(International Associationof
Hydrological Sciences); 4) IAMAS (International Associacition of Me-
teorology andAtmospheric Sciences); 5) IAPSO(International Associ-
ation for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans); 6) IASPEI (Internation-
al Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earths Interior); 7)
IAVCEI (International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of
the Earths Interior).
IVHM Integrated Vehicle Health Monitoring (Shuttle payload, terchnology . . . . . . . . .
demonstration)
IVHS Intelligent Vehicle/Highway Systems . . . . . . . . . .
IVS International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry . . . . . . . . . . . .
IWF Institut fr Weltraumforschung, Graz, Austria . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6183) The Earth Observer, Vol. 2 No. 10, Dec. 1990, pp. 3
3528
IWSCFF International Workshop on Satellite Constellation and Formation Fly- . . . . . . .
ing
IWV IntegratedWater Vapor (a termusedfor GPSmeteorology for total col- . . . . . . . . . . .
umn integrated water vapor monitoring)
IYA International Year of Astronomy (2009) declared by the UN General . . . . . . . . . . .
Assembly in collaboration with the IAU (International Astronomical
Union)
IZMIRAN Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radiowave Pro- . . . . . .
pagation (of Russian Academy of Sciences, Troitsk, Moscow region)
J
JACIE Joint Agency Civil Commercial Imagery Evaluation (annual workshop . . . . . . . . .
series of NASA, NGA, USGS, USDA, NOAA, etc.)
JAMIC Japan Microgravity Center (Kamisunagawa, Hokkaido) . . . . . . . . .
JAMSTEC Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (Tokyo) . . . . . .
JAROS Japan Resources Observation System Organization . . . . . . . . .
JAFIC Japan Fisheries Information Center . . . . . . . . .
JAXA JapanAerospace Exploration Agency, Tokyo; --- JAXAis the newname . . . . . . . . . .
(merger) of the three former Japanese space organizations into a single
national agency, namely: NASDA (National Space Development
Agency of Japan), ISAS (Institute of Space and Astronautical Science),
and NAL(National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan). The merger is ef-
fective as of Oct. 1, 2003
JAXA/IAT JAXA/Institute of Aerospace Technology . . . . . .
JAXA/ISAS JAXA/Institute of Space and Astronautical Science . . . . .
JAXA/JSPEC JAXA Space Exploration Center (a new directorate of JAXA estab- . . .
lished on April, 1 2007)
JAXA/SDRC JAXA/Space---technology Demonstration Research Center (conducts . . . .
the small satellite program)
JCAB Japanese Civil Aviation Bureau (JCABis an agency/organization with- . . . . . . . . . .
in the Japanese Ministry of Transport)
JCET Joint Center for Earth Systems Technology (since 1995) at UMBC . . . . . . . . . .
(University of Maryland, Baltimore County) . JCET operates under a
cooperative agreement between UMBC and NASA/GSFC to develop
new technology for environmental remote sensing.
JEA Japan Environmental Agency . . . . . . . . . . .
JEM Japanese Experiment Module (Japans pressurized module directly at- . . . . . . . . . . .
tached to the Space Station Freedom). JEM (Kibo, meaning Hope).
JEM---EF JEM---External Facility . . . . . . .
JEMRMS JEM Remote Manipulator System (NASDA contribution to ISS; . . . . . .
JEMRMS is planned to be installaed in 2006)
Jena---Optronik Jena---Optronik GmbH (Jena, Germany) was founded in 1992 by .
Daimler---Benz Aerospace and Jenoptik AGas a successor company of
the former VEBCarl Zeiss Jena. Jena---Optronik is a builder of AOCS
(Attitude Orbit and Control System) sensors (ASTRO family) for the
satellite industry. Shareholders of Jena---Optronik GmbH are EADS
NVand Jenoptik AG. As of January 2005, Jena---OptroniKGmbHbe-
came a 100% subsidiary of the Jenoptik Group.
Jenoptik AG Jena, Germany, Jenoptik grew out of Jenoptik Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH . . . .
in 1991.
JEOS Japanese Earth Observation System . . . . . . . . . .
JERS Japanese Earth Resources Satellite, D.25 . . . . . . . . . .
JFET Junction Field---Effect Transistor . . . . . . . . . .
JGOFS Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (IGBP program) . . . . . . . . .
JGR Journal of Geophysical Research (a publication of AGU) . . . . . . . . . . .
JGPSC JapanGPSCouncil (over 80manufacturers, major users, researchinsti- . . . . . . . . .
tutes, etc.)
3529
JHU Johns Hopkins University (Baltimore, MD, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
JHU/APL JHU/Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD, USA, since 1942; APL . . . . . .
is a major space research institute (staff of 2700) and the designer and
builder of satellites (Transit series, ACE, AMPTE/CCE, MSX, NEAR,
TIMED, etc.), instruments, S/Cengineering, technical innovations, etc.
JHU/PhA Johns Hopkins University/Physics & Astronomy Department (Balti- . . . . . .
more, MD, USA)
JMA Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA is an agency/organization within . . . . . . . . . . .
the Japanese Ministry of Transport)
JODC Japan Oceanographic Data Center . . . . . . . . .
JOWIP Joint Canada---US Ocean Wave Investigation Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
JPALS Joint PrecisionApproachandLanding System(developedby Raytheon . . . . . . . . .
for DoD). JPALS is an all ---weather, all ---mission, all ---user landing sys-
tem based on local area differential Global Positioning System (GPS).
Note: JPALS is the military counterpart to LAAS (Local Area Aug-
mentation System). JPALS is a landing system for ceilings of 100 feet
(30 m, category II) down to zero feet that works in all weather condi-
tions, including zero visibility, without allowing its signal to be jammed
or otherwise tampered with.
JPEG (JPG) Joint Photographic Experts Group (a compressed image format stan- . . . .
dard, 24---bit color; note: JPEG is a lossy compression technique based
on DCT)
JPEG---LS JPEGlossless --- use of a 2---Dedge---detection predictor. JPEG---LS is . . . . . .
the new (1998/9) lossless/near---lossless compression standard for con-
tinuous---tone images, ISO---14495---1/ITU---T.87. The standard is
based on the LOCO---I algorithm (LOw COmplexity LOssless COm-
pression for Images) developed at Hewlett---Packard Laboratories.
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA, since 1944 (DAACof NASA . . . . . . . . . . . .
EOS Program). JPL is the only NASA center that is managed by a uni-
versity, namely the California Institute of Technology
JPO Joint Program Office (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . .
J---POD JAXA---Picosatellite Orbital Deployer . . . . . . . .
JPOP Japanese Polar Platform . . . . . . . . . .
JPSS Joint Polar Satellite System. In Feb. 2010, the NPOESS program was . . . . . . . . . . .
terminated by the US government due to severe cost overruns and pro-
gram delays. NOAAs new satellite program, JPSS, was created in the
aftermath of the White Houses Feb. 2010 decision to canel NPOESS.
The development of the new JPSS will be managed by NASA/GSFC
while the spacecraft will be ownedandoperatedby NOAA.. Thelaunch
of JPSS---1 is planned for 2016.
JRC Joint Research Centre (umbrella agency of CEUcoordinating eight re- . . . . . . . . . . .
search institutes at five sites (Geel, Belgium; Karlsruhe, Germany; Pet-
ten, Netherlands; Ispra, Italy; Seville, Spain). IRMM(Institute for Ref-
erence Materials andMeasurements) is located inGeel; ITU(Institute
of Transuranium Elements) is in Karlsruhe; IAM (Institute of Ad-
vanced Materials) is in Petten; IPS (Institute for Prospective Techno-
logical Studies) in Seville. The following institutes are located in Ispra:
ISIS (Institute for Systems, Informatics and Safety), EI (Environment
Institute), SAI (Space Applications Institute), IHCP (Institute for
Health and Consumer Protection). --- The JRCProgram Directorate is
located in Brussels.
JSASS Japan Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences . . . . . . . . .
JSC Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, USA) . . . . . . . . . . . .
JSC Joint Scientific Committee (of WCRP) . . . . . . . . . . . .
JSpOC Joint Space Operations Center of the US Air---Force, located at VAFB, . . . . . . . . .
CA. The JSpOCs Space Situational Awareness (SSA) Operations Cell
maintains space data for all Earth orbiting man---made objects.
3530
JST JapanScience andTechnology Corporation(Tokyo. a Japanese govern- . . . . . . . . . . . .
ment corporation promoting new technologies and basic research)
JTRS Joint Tactical Radio System --- a DoDprogramwhich started in 2005 to . . . . . . . . . .
come up eventually with an advanced architecture for SDR (Software
Defined Radio).
JUSREX Joint US/Russian Internal Wave Remote Sensing Experiment (cam- . . . . . . .
paign)
JWGA Joint Working Group ATMOS . . . . . . . . .
JWST James Webb Space Telescope (of NASA). Note: TheNGST(Next Gen- . . . . . . . . . .
eration Sapce Telescope) mission was renamed to JWST in Sept. 2002.
K
KACST King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (Riyadh, Saudi Ara- . . . . . . . .
bia, since 1977), home of SRISA (Space Research Institute of Saudi
Arabia) also referred to as RSRI (Riyadh Space Research Institute)
KAIST Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Seoul, Korea, . . . . . . . . .
since 1989). KAISTis a university basedresearch center for science sat-
ellite development
KAIST/SaTReC KAIST/ Satellite Technology Research Center (Daejeon, Korea, since .
1989, SaTReC is a university based research center)
KAO Kuiper Airborne Observatory (C---141 aircraft of NASA/ARC). . . . . . . . . . .
Named after US astromoner Gerard P. Kuiper (1905---1973) of Dutch
descent.
KAPEX Cape of Good Hope Experiments (campaign) . . . . . . . .
KARI Korea Aerospace Research Institute (Daejeon, Korea, since 1989). . . . . . . . . . .
KARI is the key space development center in Korea under MOST
(Ministry of Science and Technology) for space development (600 em-
ployees as of 2005, over 700 engineers/scientists in2012). Missions: Kit-
Sat---3 (1999), KOMPSAT---1, STSAT---1, KOMPSAT---2 (2006),
COMS (2010), KOMPSAT---3 (2012), etc.
KASI Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute --- as of January 2005, . . . . . . . . . .
formerly the institute was named KAO (Korea Astronomy Observat-
ory). KASI is the national astronomy research institute of Korea estab-
lished in 1974.
Kazkosmos Kazkosmos is the national space agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, . . . . .
established in March 2007. Kazkosmos is located in Astana, Kazakh-
stan.
KEEO Kamal Ewida Earth Observatory, Egypt (an early warning facility of . . . . . . . . .
natural disasters). KEEO is in planning as of 2010.
KEOC Korean Earth Observation Center, Seoul, Korea . . . . . . . . .
KfA Kernforschungsanlage Jlich (Nuclear Research Center, Jlich, Ger- . . . . . . . . . . .
many)
KfK Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe (Nuclear Research Center, Karls- . . . . . . . . . . .
ruhe, Germany; KfKwas renamed to FZK (ForschungszentrumKarls-
ruhe as of 1995)
KFKI Hungarian Research Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics . . . . . . . . . .
KH Keyhole (a code name designating a DoD reconnaissance satellite se- . . . . . . . . . . . .
ries as well as the principal camera system of the S/C)
KhSC Khrunichev Space Center, Moscow. Leading company in the develop- . . . . . . . . . .
ment, production, testing, and operation of launch vehicles and space-
craft, utilization of Proton. Participation in programs: Venera, Mars,
Luna, Kosmos, Phobos, Vega, Gorizont, Salyut, MIR, Almaz, Ener-
gia---Buran, Zond, etc.
KIAM Keldysh Institute of Applied Mathematics, Moscow, Russia . . . . . . . . .
KID Kinetic Inductance Detector (a type of superconducting photondetect- . . . . . . . . . . .
or first developed by scientists at the California Institute of Technology
and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 2003). KIDs are highly sensitive
3531
radiation detectors that function at extremely low temperatures of 0.1
K. These detectors have been specifically developed for use in a new
generation of far---infrared space telescopes, for which all of the optical
equipment is actively cooled. Such a telescope is so sensitive that it can
measure radiation from the darkest corners of the universe.
KidSat A NASA---sponsored program (start in 1995, the first Shuttle flight of . . . . . . . . .
Kidsat was on STS---76 in March 1996) to encourage the student and
educator community in space technology involvement, to bring space
exploration into the classrooms. Activities may encounter interpreta-
tion of remotely---sensed images, the development of imaging instru-
ments as well as their on---orbit operation. Further Shuttle flights of
KidSat onSTS---81 (Jan. 12---22, 1997) andonSTS---86 (Sept. 25 --- Oct.
6, 1997). Access to the programis via Internet. KidSat observation mis-
sions are carried out on Space Shuttle flights and on the future Space
Station.
KIOST Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (as of July 2012, . . . . . . . . .
formerly KORDI). KIOSTis an entity established by Korea Ministry of
Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs, with expanded functions
from KORDI.
KITSAT Korea Institute of Technology Satellite (D.26, D.62.6, D.62.10, ) . . . . . . . .
KMA Korean Meteorological Administration, Seoul, Korea . . . . . . . . . .
KNMI Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (Royal Netherlands . . . . . . . . .
Meteorological Institute) De Bilt, Netherlands, the Dutch Weather
Service.
KOMPSAT Korea Multi ---Purpose Satellite, D.27 . . . . .
KORDI Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute, Seoul, Korea, . . . . . . . .
(since 1973) --- Note: As of July 2012, KORDI was reorganized and re-
named; it is now known under: KIOST (Korea Institute of Ocean Sci-
ence and Technology).
KOSC Korean Ocean Satellite Center (a facility of KIOST) . . . . . . . . .
KSAS Korean Society for Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Seoul, Korea . . . . . . . . . .
KSAT Kongsberg Satellite Services AS. KSAT is the largest commercial pro- . . . . . . . . . .
vider of EO ground station services (TT&C, launch support, etc.) with
HQinTroms, Norway. The groundstations are locatedin Troms(69
39 N, 18 56 E), Svalbard(Spitzbergen, 78 15 N, 15 80 E, Svalbardis
alsoreferredtoas SvalSat), Grimstad(inthesouthof Norway locatedat
58 20 N, 8 21 E), andthe TrollSat groundstationinAntarctica (72 S,
2 E, since 2007). The Pole to Pole network can be accessed through
TNOC (Troms Network Operations Center). The antennas are re-
motely controlled fromTNOC. All major space agencies and commer-
cial mission operatiors are using the KSAT station services for maxim-
um coverage of their missions.
KSC Kennedy Space Center (NASA facility at Cape Canaveral, FL, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
KSEA Korean---American Scientists and Engineers Association (since 1971) . . . . . . . . . .
KSLV Korean Satellite Launch Vehicle (first launch planned in 2007) . . . . . . . . . .
KTH Kungliga Tekniska Hgskolan (Royal Institute of Technology) Stock- . . . . . . . . . . .
holm, Sweden
Kvant GNPP Kvant State Science and Production Enterprise, Moscow (since 1987, . . . .
its predecessor was Kvant NPO). Manufacturer of primary power sys-
tems (solar cells andsolar arrays). Kvant is/was involvedinall, or nearly
all the Soviet/Russian spacecraft, featuring solar arrays. In 1992, Kvant
formed Sovlux joint ventures with Sunflex Inc. USA.
L
L3 Latitude/Longitude Locator (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L3/IS L---3 Communications Integrated Systems (HQ in Greenville, TX, . . . . . . . . . .
USA)
3532
LAAS Local Area Augmentation System (GPS). LAAS is FAAs ground--- . . . . . . . . . .
based augmentation system for local area DGPS.
LABEN S.p.A. Laboratori Elettronici Nucleari, of Vimodrone (Milano, Italy), Lab of . .
Alenia Spazio (a Finmeccanica company). LABEN was founded in
1958, it produces electronic systems, transducers, LAGRANGE (LA-
BEN GNSS Receiver for Advanced Navigation), etc.
LABOCA Large APEX Bolometer Camera (a ground---based facility instrument . . . . . .
of ESO in the Atacama desert of Chile installed in the APEX Tele-
scope). LABOCAis a first generation bolometer array. It was installed
in 2006, representing the most sensitive camera for microwave radi-
ationdetection. LABOCAconsists of 295 channels operating in the 870
m (345 GHz) atmospheric window. LABOCA is cooled to cryogenic
temperatures. The instrument was built by MPIfR (Max---Planck---
Institut fr Radioastronomie, Bonn.
LAC Local Area Coverage (NOAA downlink mode) . . . . . . . . . . .
Lacrosse/Vega A DoD/NRO radar imaging satellite reconnaissance program. . . .
Lacrosse---1 was launched Dec. 2, 1988 by Shuttle (STS---27) and went
into a 57 orbit with an altitude of 680 km. Lacrosse---2 was launched
from VAFB on March 8, 1991. Lacrosse---3 was launched from VAFB
on Oct. 24, 1997. Lacrosse---4 was launched from VAFB on Aug. 17,
2000.
LADAR Laser Detection and Ranging . . . . . . . .
LAEFF Laboratorio de Astrofisica Espacial Fisica Fundamental (Villafranca, . . . . . . . .
Spain, Laboratory for Space Astrophysics and Theoretical Physics,
since 1990)
LAGEOS---I,II Laser Geodynamics Satellite (NASA/ASI), E.15 . .
LAMBADA Large---scale Atmospheric Moisture Balance of Amazonia using Data . . . .
Assimilation (campaign)
LAN Local Area Network . . . . . . . . . . .
LandSat Land (Remote Sensing) Satellite, US EO program, D.28 . . . . . . . .
LANL Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos NM, DOE facility, op- . . . . . . . . .
erated by the University of California). Builder of satellites (ALEXIS,
FORTE, MTI, etc) and instruments for space research (solar wind,
lightning detection). Los Alamos played (and plays) a key role in moni-
toring treaty compliance with satellite sensors (detecting atmospheric
nuclear tests).
LAPAN Lembaga Penerbangan dan Antariksa Nasional (Indonesian National . . . . . . . .
Institute of Aeronautics and Space, Jakarta)
LAP---B Link Access Protocol (for B Channels) . . . . . . . .
LaRC Langley Research Center (Hampton VA, DAAC of NASA EOS Pro- . . . . . . . . . .
gram)
LASP Laboratory for Atmospheric andSpace Physics at theUniversity of Col- . . . . . . . . . .
orado, Boulder, CO
LASER Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation . . . . . . . .
LASSO Laser Synchronization from (Geo)Stationary Orbit (ESA, Meteosat) . . . . . . . .
LAT Laboratoire dAstrophysique de Toulouse (France) . . . . . . . . . . .
LATOR Laser Astrometric Test Of Relativity (a proposed fundamental physics . . . . . . . .
mission of NASA and ESA)
Lavochkin Lavochkina Scientific Production Association, Khimky, Russia . . . . . .
LBH Lyman---Birge---Hopefield (spectral bands in the 140---180 nm range) . . . . . . . . . . .
LCD Liquid Crystal Display (a device acting as a valve through which polar- . . . . . . . . . . .
ized light passes unless blocked by the application of a low voltage)
LCROSS Lunar CRater Observation and Sensing Satellite (mission of NASA) . . . . . . .
LCT Laser Communication Terminal . . . . . . . . . . .
LCTF Liquid Crystal Tunable Filter . . . . . . . . . .
LDA Laser Diode Array . . . . . . . . . . .
3533
LDCE Limited Duration Space Environment Candidate Materials Exposure . . . . . . . . .
(Shuttle experiment)
LDCM Landsat Data Continuity Mission (of NASA, an LDCM launch is con- . . . . . . . . .
sidered for the 2005/6 time frame)
LDEF Long Duration Exposure Facility, NASA S/C, J.9 . . . . . . . . .
LDEO Lamont---Doherty Earth Observatory (Columbia University, New . . . . . . . . .
York, NY, USA, since 1949)
LDG Laboratoire de Dtection et de Gophysique, Bruyres---le---Chtel, . . . . . . . . . .
France
LDGPS Local ---Area Differential GPS (generic term for local ground aug- . . . . . . . .
mentation systems of GPS, like LAAS, JPALS, etc.). LDGPS is a real ---
time DGPSsystemthat is madeavailable over a relatively small area(in
the order of 100 km radius). Two or more GPS receivers are used to
create a local reference to each other.
LDR Large---scale Deployable Reflector [advanced antenna design of ESA . . . . . . . . . . .
within the LDA (Large Deployable Antenna) program]
LDR Linear Depolarization Ratio . . . . . . . . . . .
LE90 Linear Error of 90% --- a measure of positional accuracy of observed . . . . . . . . . .
imagery
LEADEX Arctic Leads Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
LED Light---Emitting Diode (a semiconductor device which becomes lumi- . . . . . . . . . . .
nescent on application of a low voltage)
LEDA Landsat On---Line Earthnet Data Availability (ESA database file) . . . . . . . . .
LEED Low---Energy Electron Diffraction . . . . . . . . .
LEEM Laboratory for Space and Microgravity Research. LEEM is a Spanish . . . . . . . . .
student and young professionals association, involving more than 200
members from eleven universities, with local offices in six Spanish ma-
jor cities andcollaborationagreements withstudents fromthreecontin-
ents.
LEGOS Laboratoire dtudes en Gophysique et Ocanographie Spatiale . . . . . . . .
(Toulouse, France, affiliated with CNES, CNRS and the Universit
Paul Sabatier in Toulouse; research in geophysics, oceanography and
glaciology)
LEO Low Earth Orbit (usually for all satellite orbits up to 1000 or 2000 km . . . . . . . . . . .
altitude; incontrast to geostationary (GEO) orbits at altitudes of about
36000 km)
LEON---FT LEON---FT (Fault Tolerant) microprocessor family. The LEON pro- . . . . .
ject was started by ESA/ESTECin 1997 with the goal to develop high---
performance microprocessors for space applications.
LEON2---FT The design of the microproceesor based on the SPARC---V8 RISC ar- . . . .
chitecture and instruction set (developed by Aeroflex Gaisler under
ESA contract) includes techniques of radiation hardening by design
with full triple modular redundancy. Example: The AT7913E Space-
Wire Remote Terminal Controller (SpW---RTC) provides a bridge
between a SpaceWire network and a CAN bus, and includes a
LEON2---FTprocessor. The LEON2---FT(AT697) is manufactured by
Atmel.
LEON3---FT LEON3---FT based SCOC3 (Spacecraft Controller On---a--- Chip), a . . . .
32---bit SPARC V8 architecture microprocessor. SCOC3 has been de-
veloped at EADS Astrium SAS. Examples: the SIR---2 (Near Infrared
Spectrometer) of Chandrayaan---1 mission flew LEON3---FT. The
SCOC3 has beenselectedfor the SEOSATandSPOT---6/ ---7) missions.
LEON4---FT LEON4---FT is a next generation microprocessor (64---bit or 128---bit . . . .
SPARC V8 architecture) under development (2011) by Aeroflex
Gaisler, Gteburg, Sweden.
LEOP Launch and Early Orbit Phase . . . . . . . . .
LEOS&R LEO Search and Rescue (system flown on LEO S/C) . . . . . .
3534
LeRC NASA Lewis Research Center (Cleveland, OH, USA). Note: On . . . . . . . . . .
March 1, 1999, LeRCwas renamed toNASAs JohnH. GlennResearch
Center (GRC) at Lewis Field, OH.
LERTS Laboratoire dEtudes et deRecherches enTldtectionSpatiale(Tou- . . . . . . . . .
louse, France, belongs to CNES/CNRS, renamed to CESBIO as of
1995)
LES Lincoln (Laboratory) Experimental Satellite. ADoDmicrosatellite se- . . . . . . . . . . .
ries (up to LES---4) and minisatellite series (LES---5 to LES---9) de-
signed and built at MIT/LL (test of communication technologies).
Launch of LES---1 on Feb. 11, 1965; launch of the LES---8/9 pair on
March 15, 1976
LET Light Emitting Transistor (invented in 2003 at the University of Illinois . . . . . . . . . . .
at Urbana---Champaign)
6184)
LETI Laboratoire dElectronique de Technologie et dInstrumentation (at . . . . . . . . . .
Grenoble, France)
LEWEX Labrador Extreme Wave Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
LF Low Frequency (30 --- 300 kHz band) . . . . . . . . . . . .
LFC Large Format Camera, J.10 . . . . . . . . . . .
LFM Linear Frequency Modulated (chirp signal of a radar system) . . . . . . . . . . .
LFM---CW Linear Frequency Modulated---Continuous Wave (radar). Note: The . . . . . .
LFM---CW operation requires less power than a comparable pulsed
SARandenables hardware whichis less complicated, andthus easier to
fabricate.
LFSAH Light Weight Flexible Solar Array Hinge (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
LGA Low Gain Antenna . . . . . . . . . . .
LHCP Left Hand Circural Polarization . . . . . . . . .
LHP Loop Heat Pipe (Shuttle Experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
LH Systems LH Systems LLC, with company HQ in San Diego, CA (airborne cam- . . . . .
eras). In 1997, Leica AG of Heerbrugg (photogrammetry and aerial
camera systems), Switzerland, formed a joint venture with BAE SYS-
TEMS, Inc. of San Diego, CA, and with Helava Associates Inc. a sub-
sidiary of GDESystems. The newcompany is calledLHSystems LLC
in San Diego and LH Systems GmbH in Heerbrugg, Switzerland
LIC Lithium---Ion Capacitor . . . . . . . . . . . .
Li ---Ion (or LI) Lithium---Ion (battery type) . .
Li ---Po Lithium---Polymer (battery type) . . . . . . . . .
LIDAR Light Detection and Ranging . . . . . . . .
LIF Laser---Induced Fluorescence (active remote sensing method) . . . . . . . . . . . .
LIFT Laser InducedFluorescence Transient (a methodtomeasurephotosyn- . . . . . . . . . .
thetic properties in terrestrial plants)
LIGA LIthographie, Galvanoformung und Abformung (lithography, electro- . . . . . . . . . .
plating and moulding)
LIGO Laser Interferometric Gravitational ---wave Observatory . . . . . . . . . .
LIMEX Labrador Ice Margin Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
LISA Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (a three S/C cooperative mission . . . . . . . . . .
of ESAand NASA, with a proposed launch in 2011). The objective is to
study low---frequency gravitational waves from galactic and extra---
galactic binary systems. The three S/Care separatedsome 5,000,000km
apart, forming an equilateral triangle (a giant interferometer). Plans
call for LISAs trio of identical S/Cto orbit the sun at the same distance
as Earth, but trailing about 50 million km in orbit behind our planet.
LISS Linear Imaging Self---Scanning Sensor (ISRO sensor series) . . . . . . . . . . .
LITE Lidar In---space Technology Experiment, Shuttle mission, J.11 . . . . . . . . . .
LLNL Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Livermore, CA, a DOElab . . . . . . . . . .
managed by the University of California)
_____________________
6184) M. Feng, N. Holoyak, W. Hafez, Light--- emitting transistor: Light emission fromInGaP/GaAs heterojunction bi-
polar transistors, Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 84, No 1, Jan. 5, 2004, pp. 151--- 153
3535
LLRP Lunar Laser Ranging Program(NASA). LLRPwas startedby theApol- . . . . . . . . . .
lo---11 mission (July 21, 1969) which installed a retroreflector array on
themoon. Twomoreretroreflector arrays were left by theApollo14and
Apollo15 missions --- referredtoas theApolloCCRs (Corner CubeRe-
flector) arrays.
LLRRA---21 Lunar Laser Ranging Retroreflector Array for the 21st century. (2nd . . . .
generation LLR)
LLV1 (or 2) Lockheed Launch Vehicle 1 (or 2) . . . . .
LM LockheedMartinCorporation, HQat Bethesda, MD. The worlds larg- . . . . . . . . . . . .
est space company resultedin 1995 as a merger of the former Lockheed
Missiles and Space Co. with the former Martin Marietta Astronautics
and Martin Marietta Astro Space (which itself is based on former GE
Astro Space). The new LMstructure has five sectors, each with operat-
ing units and subsidiaries. The sectors are: Aeronautics, Electronics,
Energy, Information & Services, and Space & Strategic Missiles.
LMMS (see below), LMSS Space Systems---Astronautics (Denver,
CO), LM Telecommunications (Sunnyvale, CA) are units of the Space
& Strategic Missiles sector. Total LM employment is about 170,000.
LMC Lightweight Mission Peculiar Support Structure Carrier (Shuttle struc- . . . . . . . . . .
ture)
LMD Laboratoire de Mtorologie Dynamique, Palaiseau (Lab of CNRS, . . . . . . . . . .
France)
LMI Lockheed Martin Intersputnik, a joint venture company (since 1997) of . . . . . . . . . . .
Lockheed Martin Corporation and the Intersputnik International Or-
ganization of Space Communications
LMLV Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle [after its first successful flight, Aug. . . . . . . . . .
23, 1997 (Lewis S/C), LMLV was renamed to Athena the Greek god-
dess of wisdom)]
LMMS Lockheed Martin Missile & Space Company (HQ at Sunnyvale, CA). . . . . . . . . .
LMMS is a major builder of satellites and sensors for civil (TIROS,
AM---1, ISS, HST, Gravity Probe---B, Wind, Polar, Landsat---7,
TRACE, etc.) and military (DMSP, GPS, etc.) US space programs as
well as for commercial Earth observation programs (CRSS, etc.).
LMMShas a workforceof about 19,000 employees andmaintains facili-
ties at the following locations: Huntsville, AL; Cape Canaveral, FL;
Kings Bay, GA; East Windsor, NJ; Valley Forge, PA; Charleston, SC;
Magna, UT; Bangor, WA; and Sunnyvale, Santa Cruz, Palo Alto and
VAFB, all in CA. LMMS is also the manufacturer of the following stan-
dard platform series (communication satellite buses): S3000, S4000,
S5000, S7000, and A2100; and the manufacturer of Motorolas Iridium
system (now Iridium Satellite LLC).
LMS Life and Microgravity Spacelab (Shuttle mission) . . . . . . . . . . .
LMT Liquid Mirror Telescope . . . . . . . . . . .
LNA Low Noise Amplifier . . . . . . . . . . .
LNETI Laboratorio Nacional de Engenhario e Technologia Industrial (PoSAT . . . . . . . . .
consortium, Portugal)
LO Local Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . .
LOA Laboratoire dOptique Atmosphrique, (of CNRS, at the University of . . . . . . . . . . .
Sciences and Technology, Lille, France)
LOICZ Land---Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (core program of . . . . . . . .
IGBP)
LOMO Leningrad Optical ---Mechanical Enterprise (telescope provider, St. . . . . . . . . .
Petersburg, Russia)
LORAN Long Range Aid to Navigation (a radionavigation system as well as an . . . . . . . .
instrument name). LORAN---Coperates on 100 kHz and is a maritime
and aeronautical radionavigation system.
LOS Loss of Signal . . . . . . . . . . .
LOS Line of Sight . . . . . . . . . . .
3536
LOTREX Landoberflchen---Traversen Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
LoWPAN Internet Protocol Low power Wireless Personal Area Network. Actu- . . . . . . .
ally 6LoWPAN of IPv6 technology.
LOWS Lake Ontario Winter Storms (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
LOWTRAN LOW---resolution TRANsmittance a computer code (model of USAF . . . .
Geophysics Laboratory), see Glossary.
LPCE Laboratoire de Physique et de Chimie de lEnvironment (CNRS), Or- . . . . . . . . . .
leans, France
LPCM Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie Marines (CNRS), Villefranche--- . . . . . . . . .
sur---mer, France
LPI Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX, USA . . . . . . . . . . . .
LQR Linear Quadratic Regulator (controller device) . . . . . . . . . . .
LRIT Long---Range Identification andTracking [a standard being introduced . . . . . . . . . .
in the shipborne AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponder
system as a means of enhancing maritime security]. AIS is desined to
transmit information such as vessel identification, position, heading,
destination, nature of cargo, etc. Ships send reports every 2---10 sec-
onds. AIS is a newmandatory element under the UNSOLAS (Safety of
Life at Sea) convention, adopted by the SOLAS Conference in 2002 ---
and entered into force July 1, 2004.
LRIT Low Rate Information Transmission [a standard digital broadcast ser- . . . . . . . . . .
vice used in meteorological satellites such as MSG series of EUMET-
SAT, MTSAT of JAXA, also starting with GOES---12 (2005) of NOAA,
etc.]. LRIT replaced the older WEFAX transmission standard.
LRO Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (NASA) . . . . . . . . . . .
LRPT Low Resolution Picture Transmission (NOAA downlink technique in . . . . . . . . . .
S---band, LRPT is a successor to APT)
LRR Laser Retro---Reflector . . . . . . . . . . .
LS Landsat Satellite Series of NOAA . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LSM Land Surface Model . . . . . . . . . . .
LSPIM Land Surface Processes and Interactions Mission (in ESAs Earth Ex- . . . . . . . . .
plorer Program), see SPECTRA
LST Land Surface Temperature . . . . . . . . . . .
LTAN Local Time on Ascending Node (orbit parameter) . . . . . . . . . .
LTCC Low---Temperature Co---fired Ceramics (a key technology for passive . . . . . . . . . .
integration of electronic components like capacitors, inductors and va-
ristors) --- yielding highly integrated multifunction LTCC modules.
LTCC technology is a low cost process for fabricating multi ---layer ce-
ramic structures. Its a versatile technology that is well suitedtorealizing
innovative RF and microwave components and subsystems.
LTDN Local Time on Descending Node (orbit parameter) . . . . . . . . .
LTDP Long TermData Preservation (an archiving policy for archive mainten- . . . . . . . . . .
ance and data integrity that is being adopted by several space agencies
in Europe and elsewhere). ESA initiated a coordination of LTDP in
2006.
LTER Long---Term Ecological Research (NFS program that started in 1981, . . . . . . . . . .
there are 19 major sites within LTER spread throughout the US)
LTP Licklider Transmission Protocol (which is used to provide a reliable . . . . . . . . . . .
deep space link transmission service)
LTS Low Temperature Superconductivity (refers to conductor material lev- . . . . . . . . . . . .
els at liquid helium temperatures, Tc = 4 K)
LUCC Land---Use/Cover Change (IGBP program) . . . . . . . . .
LUT Local User Terminal (NOAA concept for S&R reception) . . . . . . . . . . .
LuxSpace LuxSpace, located in Luxembourg, is a subsidiary of OHB Technology . . . . . . .
AG, Bremen (since 204)
LVDS Low Voltage Differential Signaling (a broadband signaling service). . . . . . . . . . .
LVDS is a low---power, low---noise differential signaling technology for
3537
high speed transmission (data rates up to 1 Gbit/s). Optimized for
point---to---point configurations in telecom, datacom, peripherals and
displays, LVDS delivers the bandwidth necessary for driving large data
rates over PCB(Printed Circuit Board) and cable. LVDS was standard-
ized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/Telecom-
munications Industry Association(TIA)/Electronic Industries Alliance
(EIA). As of March 1996, the ANSI/TIA/EIA---644---1995 standard
specifies the physical layer as an electronic interface. LVDS is used in
SpaceWire.
LVPS Low Voltage Power Supply . . . . . . . . . .
LWIR Long---Wavelength Infrared (6---14 mm) same range as TIR . . . . . . . . . .
LWS Living With a Star (an international program initiated in 1999 to ad- . . . . . . . . . . .
vance the understanding of space weather). The following projects are
within LWS: SDO (Solar Dynamics Observatory), Geospace Storm
Probes, Space Environment Testbeds (SETs), Solar Sentinels, Coro-
nas---F, Coronas---Foton, etc.
M
MAB Man and Biosphere Programme (UNESCO, since 1989) . . . . . . . . . .
MABL Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer . . . . . . . . .
MAC Multiphase Atmospheric Chemistry (IGBP/IGAC program) . . . . . . . . . .
MACE Middeck Active Control Experiment (of NASAandAFRLonShuttle). . . . . . . . . .
MACE and MACE---II (AFRL) are designed to investigate modeling
and control issues (high precision pointing and vibration control)
MAC---Europe Multisensor Airborne Campaign --- Europe . .
MACH---1 Multiple Application Customized Hitchhiker---1 (a Shuttle payload . . . . . .
container)
MACRES Malaysian Center for Remote Sensing (since 1988, Kuala Lumpur, . . . . . .
Malaysia), alsoknownas Pusat Remote Sensing Negara. MACREShas
a ground receiving station since 2003
MACSI Microwave Airborne Campaign over Snow and Ice (campaign) . . . . . . . .
MAESA Measurement for Assessing the Effects of Stratospheric Aircraft (cam- . . . . . . . .
paign)
MAESTRO MissionAdaptive Environment for Spacecraft Test andReal ---timeOp- . . . . .
erations (a ground---based spacecraft command and control system of
Orbital Sciences Corporation, Dulles, VA)
MAESTRO Multiple Airborne Experiments Towards Radar Observations (cam- . . . . .
paign)
MAGE Marine Aerosol and Gas Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
Magnetite Fe
3
O
4
(oldest known magnetic mineral on Earth) . . . . . .
Magnolia/MFE (MFE = Magnetic Field Experiment) A joint French/US program . .
(proposal status) for long---term (>5 years) monitoring of the Earths
magnetic field and its temporal variations (objectives: main field mod-
el, secular variations, core motion determination, electrical conductiv-
ity of the mantle)
MAGS Mackenzie River GEWEX Study (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
MAHLOVS Middle and High---Latitude Oceanic Variability Study . . . . .
MAMA Multi ---Anode Michrochannel Array (detector type) . . . . . . . .
MANET Mobile Ad---hoc Network . . . . . . .
MAN Technologie Maschinenfabrik Augsburg, Nrnberg --- Technologie, of Augsburg (a
subsidiary of the MANGroup of Munich, Germany, since 1908). MAN
Technologie provides components of the Ariane---4 and ---5 launch ve-
hicles. --- As of June 2005, MAN Technology was acquired by OHB
Technology of Bremen, Germany.
MAP Mesoscale Alpine Programme (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
MAP Microwave Anisotropy Probe (NASA S/C mission within the MIDEX . . . . . . . . . .
program, measurement of the full sky cosmic microwave radiation)
3538
MAPLD Military and Aerospace Applications of Programmable Devices and . . . . . . . .
Technologies (yearly International Conference)
MAPS Measurement of Air Pollution from Space Radiometer (Shuttle . . . . . . . . .
OSTA---1 experiment during STS---2 in Nov. 1981, and STS---59), J.13
MARISS MARitime Security Service. MARISS is a European initiative, suppor- . . . . . . .
ted by ESA within the Copernicus (GMES) Service Element (GSE)
MARS Mid---Atlantic Regional Spaceport --- a commercial space launch facil- . . . . . . . . .
ity located at the southern tip of NASAs Wallops Flight Facility on the
Delmarva Peninsula south of Chincoteague, Virginia, USA.
MARSAIS Marine SARAnalysis andInterpretationSsystem(EU---fundedproject . . . . . .
with the aim to design and implement a generic Marine SAR Analysis
and Interpretation Systemfor specific application to the coastal zones)
MARSIS Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (an . . . . . . .
instrument on ESAs Mars Express mission)
MASER Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation . . . . . . . .
MAST Military Application of Ship Tracks (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . .
MAST Monterey Area Ship Tracks (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
MAST Marine Science and Technology (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
MASTEX Mediterranean Aircraft---Ship Transmission Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
MAUS Material Science Autonomous Payload (Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . . .
MAXIM Micro---Arcsecond X---ray Imaging Mission (NASA spacecraft forma- . . . . . . . .
tionfleet of 33 S/C --- representing agiant telescopedirectedtowardthe
universe). The time frame for this mission launch is beyond 2015.
MBA Microbolometer Array (detector type) . . . . . . . . . .
MBARI Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Monterey, CA . . . . . . . .
MBB Messerschmitt Blkow & Blohm (Munich, Germany, since 1989 MBB . . . . . . . . . .
was integrated into the DASA conglamorate)
MBD Multimission Bus Demonstration (JHU/APL). The objective of the . . . . . . . . . .
MBD program is to demonstrate ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance) operational relevance in a 3U CubeSat form factor.
MBE Molecular Beam Epitaxy [a technique (developed by Bell Labs of . . . . . . . . . .
AT&T in 1968) to grow perfect crystals, atom by atom, over areas vast
on an atomic scale. Applications: the production of photodiode arrays,
quantum wells, heterojunction structures, etc.]
MBL Marine Boundary Layer . . . . . . . . . .
MBRW Magnetic Bearing Reaction Wheels (an onboard actuator device and a . . . . . . . .
technique to unload the momentum of a spacecraft)
MBOC Multiplexed Binary Offset Carrier (a common modulation scheme for . . . . . . . . .
the civil signals of the GPS and Galileo constellations that was greed
upon by US and EU delegations on July 26, 2007). MBOC permits re-
ceivers to track the GPS and/or Galileo signals.
MC2A Multisensor Command and Control Aircraft (next---generation USAF . . . . . . . . .
surveillance platform including JSTARS)
MCC Mission Control Center . . . . . . . . . .
MCFilght
TM
MultiCore Flight [a family of customizable SOC (System---on---Chip) . . . .
chips withSpaceWire links and tools], St. Petersburg and Moscow, Rus-
sia
MCHIP/s CHIPstands for Yes/Nosequences indata transmissions. OneMCHIP/ . . . . . . .
s = 1 million information sequences/s
MCM---S Multi ---Chip---Module on Silicon (MCM is the evolution of the PCB . . . . . . .
board)
MCP Meteorological Communications Package (Meteosat). MCP permits . . . . . . . . . . .
direct data access to the operational meteorological instruments in full
resolution during a pass. MCP allows in addition the transmission of
global data sets for central ground stations.
MCP Microchannel Plate (detector) . . . . . . . . . . .
MCSA MIR Cooperative Solar Array (installation on MIR by STS---74 crew) . . . . . . . . .
3539
MCT Mercury CadmiumTelluride (detector material, HgCdTe, alsoreferred . . . . . . . . . .
to as HCT detector)
MCTEX Marine---Continental Thunderstorm Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
MDA MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates Ltd, Richmond, BC, Canada . . . . . . . . . .
(since 1969, MDA is Canadas leading space company with over 2700
employees, a developer of SAR processors, operator of Radarsat---2,
etc.). InNov. 2012, MDAacquiredSS/L(Space Systems/Loral). The
combination of MDA and SS/L creates a leading global communica-
tions and information company.
6185)
MDA Maritime Domain Awareness. MDA is defined by the International . . . . . . . . . .
Maritime Organization(IMO) as the effective understanding of any-
thing associated with the maritime domain that could impact the secur-
ity, safety, economy, or environment.
MDA Missile Defense Agency [US, since 2002, formerly known as BMDO . . . . . . . . . .
(Ballistic Missile Defense Organization)]
MDL Multi ---use Data Link (GOES Second Generation S/C) . . . . . . . . . .
MDP Multicast DisseminationProtocol [anOSI applicationlayer protocol; it . . . . . . . . . .
operates over the UDP (User Datagram Protocol) transport layer]
MDT Mean Down Time . . . . . . . . . .
MEDALUS Mediterranean Desertification and Land Use (campaign) . . . . .
MEDEA Material Science Experiment Double Rack for Experiment Modules . . . . . . .
and Apparatus (Shuttle experiment)
MEDS Marine Environmental Data Service (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) . . . . . . . . .
MEEP MIR Environmental Effects Payload (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
MEG Magneto---Encephalography (medical X---ray imagery) . . . . . . . . . .
MEI Moscow State Aviation Institute (Department of Spacecraft Electric . . . . . . . . . . .
Propulsion and Power Plants)
MELCO Mitsubishi Electric Company, Tokyo, Japan . . . . . . .
MELEO Materials Exposure in Low Earth Orbit (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . .
MELV Medium Expendable Launch Vehicle (EOS program) . . . . . . . . .
MEMS Micro---Electromechanical System (sensor technology), also Shuttle . . . . . . . . .
payload
MEO Medium Earth Orbit (altitude range of about 5000 --- 25000 km) . . . . . . . . . .
MEOLUT Medium Earth Orbit Local User Terminal . . . . . .
MFD Manipulator Flight Demonstration(Shuttle payload, JEMflight demo) . . . . . . . . . .
Megha---Tropiques A CNES/ISRO minisatellite EO mission considered for launch in
2005. Note: Megha is the Hindi word for clouds.
MEPhI Moscow Engineering Physics Institute . . . . . . . . .
MEPSI MEMS---based PicoSat Inspector (of AFRL flown on various missions . . . . . . . . .
like JAWSAT/OPAL, MightySat II.1, Shuttle payload, see also M.46)
MERSEA Marine Environment and Security for the European Area (oceanic . . . . . .
component of the Copernicus program)
MERIT Measure Earth Rotation and Intercompare the Techniques (an In- . . . . . . . .
ternational Earth Rotation Service Program)
Meteo---France Meteorological agency of France (Toulouse, Brest, etc.) . .
METI Ministry of Economy, Trade andIndustry (Japan, as of Jan. 6, 2001, pre- . . . . . . . . . .
viously it was known as MITI (Ministry of International Trade and In-
dustry)
METEOR Russian meteorological satellite family, G.4 --- G.8 . . . . . .
METEOSAT European meteorological satellite series of EUMETSAT, F.8 . . . .
METOC Meteorology &Oceanography [a US Navy programconsidering every- . . . . . . .
thing from weather observation (instruments), operations of the sys-
tem, GIS services, to oceanography applications and the combination
of both functions]
MetOp EUMETSAT Meteorological Operational satellite series, G.2.1 . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6185) MDA completes acquisition of Space Systems/Loral, MDA, Nov. 2, 2012, URL: http://www.mdacorporation.-
com/corporate/news/
3540
METRI Meteorological Research Institute, Seoul, Korea (since 1970) . . . . . . . .
MeV Mega---electron volt . . . . . . . . . . .
MEXT Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (To- . . . . . . . . .
kyo, Japan)
MF Medium Frequency (300 --- 3000 kHz band) . . . . . . . . . . . .
MFC Macro---Fiber Composite (a NASA/LaRC invention --- a device that . . . . . . . . . .
can act like muscle and nerves to expand and contract surfaces)
MFLOPS Million Floating Point Operations per Second (a measure of computer . . . . . . .
power)
MF---TDMA Multi ---Frequency Time Division Multiple Access (modulation tech- . . . .
nique)
MGBX Microgravity Glovebox Facility (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
MGM Mechanics of Granular Materials (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
MDH Magnetohydrodynamics (a device using MDHtechnology may provide . . . . . . . . . .
the functions of actuator/sensor in an attitude control system)
MHS Message Handling System (MOTIS is the ISO definition of MHS) . . . . . . . . . .
MHT Matra Hautes Technologies, France, (MHTs parent company is the . . . . . . . . . .
Ladardere Groupe; Matra Marconi Space (MMS) is a unit of MHT)
Microlab OSC satellite renamed to OrbView---1, B.11 . . . . . . .
Microscope MICROSatellite trane Compense pour lObservation du Principe . . . . .
dEquivalence (a CNES microsatellite mission within Myriade),
M.28.2
MIDEX Medium---class Explorers (NASAprogram). Aseries of cost andsched- . . . . . . . .
ule---capped programs, led by a PI and funded by NASA.
MIGITS Miniature Integrated GPS/INS Tactical System (a family of GPS---re- . . . . . . . .
lated receiver systems of Boeing Co.)
MilliLab Millimeterwave Laboratory of Finland (since 1995); a joint laboratory . . . . . . .
between VTT (Technical Research Center of Finland) and HUT (Hel-
sinki University of Technology).
MILOX Mid---Latitude Ecosystems and Photochemical Oxidants (IGBP/ . . . . . . . .
IGAC)
MIL---STD---1553B Acommunications bus standard --- an LNA(Local Area Network)
in aircraft or spacecraft --- which defines the electrical and protocol
characteristics for a data bus. The structure of the bus consists of a
single bus controller connected to remote terminals (up to 31 max can
be used).
MILSTAR Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (heritage of STP). MILSTAR is a . . . . . .
series of advanced US military (DoD) communication satellites. The
first two Block 1 spacecraft, launched in 1995, will eventually be re-
placed by the Block 2 Milstar 3 through 6, which are scheduled for
launch beginning in 1999.
MIMO Multiple---Input Multiple---Output (antenna array or radio system . . . . . . . . .
technology)
MIMO radar Multiple---Input Multiple---Output (MIMO) radar is an emerging tech- . . . .
nology that has significant potential for advancing the state---of---the---
art of modern radar (SAR). When orthogonal waveforms are transmit-
ted, withM+N(N transmit andMreceive) antennas, anMN---element
filled virtual array can be obtained. To successfully utilize such an array
for high---resolution MIMO radar imaging, constant---modulus trans-
mit signal synthesis and optimal receive filter design play critical roles.
--- The MIMO SAR is an emerging active sensing radar technology in
the early 21
st
century --- fromthe systemimplementation point of view,
as well as for signal processing techniques for target detectionandpara-
meter estimation.
Minotaur An OSC(Dulles, VA) launchvehicle. The Minotaur is a four---stage ve- . . . . . . .
hicle with the first and second stages being Minuteman---II stages; the
two upper stages come fromOSCs Pegasus launcher. OSCs Minotaur
is also known as the Orbital/Suborbital Program Space Launch Ve-
3541
hicle. The US Air Force developed the Orbital/Suborbital Programas
a way tocheaply launchsmall military payloads. OSCintegrates the Mi-
notaur launch vehicles and conducts launch operations under an Air
Force contract.
MIP Mobile IP (Internet Protocol), the TCP/IP technique (satellite links) is . . . . . . . . . . .
providing such application services as SSH(Secure Shell), SCP(Secure
Copy), NTP (Network Time Protocol), and MDP (Multicast Dissemi-
nation Protocol)
MIR Russian Space Station, L.3 . . . . . . . . . . .
MIRAS MIR Infrared Spectrometer (note: this is a modified GRILLE sensor . . . . . . . .
by ISA on the Shuttle ATLAS---1 mission)
MIREX MIR International amateur Radio Experiment . . . . . . . .
MIRSL Microwave Remote Sensing Laboratory (U. of Massachusetts at Am- . . . . . . . .
herst, MA)
MIRP Manipulated Information Rate Processor (NOAA S/C subsystem) . . . . . . . . . .
MIS---1, ---B Microcapsules in Space---1 (Shuttle experiment) . . . . .
MISSE Materials International Space Station Experiment (a NASA program . . . . . . . . .
on the ISS to characterize the performance, stability, and long---term
survivability of materials)
MIST Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and Solar Terrestrial science (a com- . . . . . . . . . .
munity of UK---based scientists with interests in physical processes
withinthe Sun---Earthsystem, other solar systembodies andexo---plan-
ets; in particular the solar/stellar wind, moons and planetary atmo-
spheres and magnetospheres). MIST is recognized by RAS (Royal As-
tronomical Society).
6186)
MIST Microbursts and Severe Thunderstorms (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
MISU Meteorological Institute of Stockholm University (Stockholm, Swe- . . . . . . . . . .
den)
MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Cambridge, MA) . . . . . . . . . . .
MIT/ERL MIT/Earth Resources Laboratory (Cambridge, MA, since 1982) . . . . . .
MIT/LL MIT/Lincoln Laboratory (Lexington, MA, since 1951) . . . . . . . .
MITA Microsatellite Italiano a Tecnologia Avanza (Italian Advanced Micro- . . . . . . . . . .
satellite platform), ASI standard platform
MITI Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Japan) Note: On Jan. 6. . . . . . . . . . .
2001, MITI was renamedtoMETI (Ministry of Economy, Trade andIn-
dustry) as a result of governmental restructuring.
MITRE Corp. A non---profit US corporation comprised of two federally funded re- . . .
search and development centers. MITRE HQs are in Bedford, MA.
MIZ Marginal Ice Zone . . . . . . . . . . .
MIZEX Marginal Ice Zone Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
MLE Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
MLI Multi ---Layered Insulation (highly reflective blankets in a spacecraft) . . . . . . . . . . .
MLML Marine Light---Mixed Layers (campaign program and a moored site) . . . . . . . . .
MLOPEX Mauna Loa Observatory Photochemistry Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
MLR Monodisperse Latex Reactor (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
MLRO Matera Laser Ranging Observatory (Matera, Italy) . . . . . . . . .
MLS Microwave Landing System (cancelled by FAA in 1994) . . . . . . . . . . .
MLST Mean Local Solar Time (on ascending or descending node, orbital pa- . . . . . . . . .
rameter)
MLT Mach---Lorentz Thruster (a new propulsion concept under investiga- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion)
MLTI Mesosphere and Lower---Thermosphere/Ionosphere (altitude from . . . . . . . . . .
about 60 to 180 km)
MLV---05 Medium Launch Vehicle---2005 (of DoD). The MLV---05 mission rep- . . . . . . .
resents a multi ---satellite launch of EO---3 (GIFTS---IOMI) as the
_____________________
6186) http://www.mist.ac.uk/
3542
prime payload, and the secondary payloads: three TechSat---21 minisa-
tellites, STPSat---1, and NPSat---1.
MMA Microgravity Measurement Assembly (ESA payload on Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
MMA Micro Mirror Array (a MOEMS device) . . . . . . . . . .
MMCS McMurdo Multimission Communications System (of NOAA, since . . . . . . . . .
Dec. 2010). The upgrades allow added polar---orbiting environmental
satellite missions touse MMCSas a 2nddownlink site. The MetOpmis-
sion of EUMETSAT uses the ADA (Antarctic Data Acquisition) ser-
vice (operational since June 2011). Support to NASAMGS (McMurdo
Ground Station) & EUMETSAT began in Jan 2011. The future JPSS
(Joint Polar Satellite System) mission will also use the ADA service.
MMFU Mass Memory and Formatting Unit . . . . . . . .
MMIC Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (also: Monolithic Milli- . . . . . . . . .
meter---wave Integrated Circuit)
MMS Magnetospheric Multi ---Scale (planned mission of NASA in 2008) . . . . . . . . . .
MMS Matra Marconi Space [of France (HQ at Velizy, and major assembly . . . . . . . . . .
plant at Toulouse) and UK (Bristol, Portsmouth, Stevenage)]. MMS
was formedin1990 by Matra Espaceof France(Lagardre) andMarco-
ni Space Systems (GEC) of UK (since 1994). MMS employs 5,000
people, 2300 in France and 2700 in the UK. MMS covers science
(SOHO, Giotto, Hipparcos), Earth observation (Spot series, ERS, Po-
lar Platform for Envisat, Metop), communications (builder of the Eu-
rostar and Leostar platforms) launch vehicles, military reconnaissance
S/C(Helios), etc. MMSis alsoan EOinstrument builder (HRVonSpot
series, ASAR, GOMOS, AASTR, SEVIRI, etc.) --- As of 2000 MMS is
called Astrium SAS in France and Astrium Ltd. in the UK (see As-
trium)
MMU Memory Management Unit (also referred to as Mass Memory Unit) . . . . . . . . . .
MMW Millimeter Wave (spectral range of 1mm to 10 mm) . . . . . . . . .
MNT Micro---Nano---Technology . . . . . . . . . .
MOBILHY Modlisation du Bilan Hydrique (HAPEX campaign) . . . . .
MOBLAS Mobile Laser System (USA) . . . . . .
MOCE Marine Optical Characterization Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
MOCVD Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition . . . . . . .
MoD Ministry of Defence (London, UK) . . . . . . . . . .
MODE Middeck 0---Gravity Dynamics Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
MO Disk Magneto---Optical Disk . . . . . . .
MOD Metal Organic Decomposition . . . . . . . . . .
MODTRAN Moderate---resolution LOWTRAN (see glossary under LOWTRAN) . . . .
MOEMS Micro Opto---Electro---Mechanical System, MOEMS derive their . . . . . . .
functionality through the miniaturization of optics, electronics and me-
chanics
MOIRE Membrane Optical Imager for Real ---time Exploitation (a DARPA . . . . . . . .
GEO demonstration mission with a 10 m optical membrane --- under
development in 2011)
MOMS Modular Optoelectronic Multispectral Scanner (Shuttle payload of . . . . . . . . .
1983 and 84), J.14 and J.15
MONEX Monsoon Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
MOP Meteosat Operational Programme (European series of weather satel- . . . . . . . . . .
lites from EUMETSAT)
MOS Marine Observation Satellite (NASDA Satellite, MOS---1 Launch: . . . . . . . . . .
1987, MOS---1b launch: Feb. 1989), D.34
MOS Metal ---Oxide Semiconductor (solid---state technology); CMOS = . . . . . . . . . .
Complementary MOS
MOSAIC Micro Satellite Applications in Collaboration (a microsatellite pro- . . . . . . .
gram of BNSC, UK which started in 2000)
MOSFET Field---Effect Transistor (FET) using MOS technology . . . . . .
3543
MOSES Molecules in Outer Space and Earth Stratosphere (Swedish Mission, . . . . . . . .
renamed ODIN), A.23
MOSFIRE Multi ---Object Spectrometer For InfraRed Exploration (of the W. M. . . . . .
Keck Observatory, located near the summit of Mount Kea in Hawaii at
an elevation of 4,145 m, first light on April 4, 2012). The telescope has
an aperture of 10 m (0.97---2.45 m spectral range, cooled to 120 K)
6187)
MOST Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (a microsatellite mission of . . . . . . . . .
CSA, Canada)
MOST Ministry of Science and Technology (China) . . . . . . . . .
MOVPE Metal ---organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (a growth technique) . . . . . . .
MOZAIC Measurement of Ozone by Airbus In---Service Aircraft, P.41.1 . . . . . .
M2P2 Mini ---Magnetospheric Plasma Propulsion (a new propulsion system/ . . . . . . . . . .
technique, fundedby NASA. The technology creates anelectromagnet-
ic bubble around a S/C and lets the solar wind push the S/C)
6188)
MPAe Max---Planck---Institut fr Aeronomie (Katlenburg---Lindau, Germa- . . . . . . . . . .
ny), since 1957, in 2004 MPAe changed its name to MPS(Max Plack In-
stitute for Solar Reseach)
MPCV Multi ---Purpose Crew Vehicle (NASAs next generation Orion crew . . . . . . . . .
launch vehicle built by Lockheed Martin). The MPCV will serve as the
explorationvehicle that will carry the crewtospace, provide emergency
abort capability, sustain the crew during the space travel, and provide
safe re---entry from deep space return velocities.
MPDS Mobile Packet Data Service . . . . . . . . .
MPE Max---Planck---Institut fr Extraterrestrik (Garching, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . .
MPEG Motion Pictures Experts Group [compression/decompressionstandard . . . . . . . . .
for data, MPEG---1 is a videocoding standardfor small images oninter-
net (since 1993), MPEG---2 is a standard for high---quality videoimages
(since 1996)]
MPEI Moscow Power Engineering Institute, builder of EO instruments like . . . . . . . . . .
radiometers [also known as SRB/MPEI (Special Research Bureau of
MPEI)]
MPG Max---Planck---Gesellschaft zur Frderung der Wissenschaften e.V. . . . . . . . . . .
(Germany). MPG is the single largest government---funded research
organization in Germany. MPG is the successor of the Kaiser---Wil-
helm---Gesellschaft founded in 1911. MPG maintains 68 research cen-
ters (and extensions), referred to as MPIs (Max Planck Institutes),
throughout Germany. The organization employs about 11,000 people,
including some 3000 scientists. Inadditiontoits workforceMPGhosts a
large number of (more than 5000 mostly on a yearly basis) research fel-
lows, doctoral candidates, and guest scientists from other institutions.
Basic research in the natural and human sciences is emphasized in all
MPIs. Major fields of researchare: physics, chemistry, biology, physical
chemistry, astronomy, mathematics, computer science, and medicine.
MPI Max---Planck---Institut (generic) . . . . . . . . . . .
MPIA Max Planck Institut fr Astronomie (Heidelberg, Germany) . . . . . . . . . .
MPICh Max---Planck---Institut fr Chemie (Mainz, Germany) . . . . . . . . .
MPIfM Max---Planck---Institut fr Meteorologie (Hamburg, Germany) . . . . . . . . .
MPIK Max---Planck---Institut fr Kernphysik (Heidelberg, Germany) . . . . . . . . . .
MPLS Multi Protocol Label Switching --- an architecture for fast packet . . . . . . . . . .
switching and routing, provides the designation, routing, forwarding
and switching of traffic flows through the network. MPLS has mechan-
isms to manage traffic flows of various granularities.
_____________________
6187) First Light of Powerful New MOSFIRE Instrument, April 6, 2012, URL: http://keckobservatory.org/news/
first_light_mosfire
6188) http://www.niac.usra.edu/Topics/Summary_Pages/Robert_Winglee.html
3544
MPNE Microgravity Plant Nutrient Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
MPPT Maximum Power Point Tracker . . . . . . . . .
MPS Max Plack Institute for Solar Reseach (Katlenburg---Lindau, Germa- . . . . . . . . . . .
ny), formerly known as MPAe.
MPSE Morelos Payload Specialist Experiments (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
MPT Ministry of Posts and Telecommunication (Tokyo, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
MRAM Magnetic RandomAccess Memory (an emerging storage technology as . . . . . . . .
of 2004, combining the techniques of DRAM, SRAMand the nonvola-
tility of flash memory)
MREFC Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (at NSFwithin . . . . . . . .
the framework of EarthScope)
MRF Meteorological Research Flight (UK) . . . . . . . . . .
MRI Magnetic Resonance Imaging . . . . . . . . . . .
MRR Modulating Retroreflector (an optical MRRis a device that couples an . . . . . . . . . .
optical retroreflector with a modulator)
MS Multispectral (data) . . . . . . . . . . . .
MSAS Multi ---Transport SatelliteAugmentationSystem(GNSS---1 element of . . . . . . . . . .
Japan)
MSC Meteorological Service of Canada . . . . . . . . . . .
MSCI Microsat Systems Canada Inc., Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (MSCI . . . . . . . . . .
was formerly the Space Division of Dynacon Inc.)
MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, DAAC of NASA EOS . . . . . . . . .
Program; Note: MSFC/DAAC closed as of March 31, 1997 due to re-
duced NASA budgets)
MSG Meteosat Second Generation (satellite series of EUMETSAT) . . . . . . . . . .
MSI MicroSat Systems Inc., Littleton, CO (since 2001, a daughter of ITN . . . . . . . . . . .
Energy Systems Inc.). In 2008, SNC (Sierra Nevada Corporation) ac-
quired MSI making MicroSat Systems a wholly owned subsidiary.
MSK Minimum Shift Keying . . . . . . . . . . .
MSL Material Science Laboratory (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
MSP Millisecond Pulsar (a pulsar with a rotational period in the range of . . . . . . . . . . .
about 1---10 milliseconds). An MSP may be visible in the microwave or
X---ray portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
MSS Mobile Satellite Service (commercial telecommunication services) . . . . . . . . . . .
MSS Mobile Servicing System [a robotics system consisting of the elements: . . . . . . . . . . .
SSRMS (Space Station Remote Manipulator System), SPDM (Special
Purpose Dexterous Manipulator) known as Dextre, and MBS (Remote
Mobile Server Base System), all systems are built by Canada, that will
be used to assemble and maintain the ISS (International Space Sta-
tion)]
MSSL Mullard Space Science Laboratory (University College London, UK) . . . . . . . . . .
MSSS Malin Space Science Systems, Inc. San Diego, CA. (since 1990, builder . . . . . . . . . .
of space instruments)
MSTI Miniature Sensor Technology Integration (a Phillips Laboratory . . . . . . . . . .
technology demonstrationprogram, KirtlandAFB, Albuquerque, NM)
MSU---E Multispectral Scanner --- Electronic Scanning . . . . . . .
MSU---K Multispectral Scanner --- Circular Scanning . . . . . . .
MSU---M Multispectral Scanner --- Low Resolution . . . . . . .
MSU---S Multispectral Scanner---Moderate Resolution . . . . . . . .
MSU---SK Multispectral Scanner---Moderate Resolution,Conical Scanning . . . . . .
MSW Medium and Short Wave (spectrum) . . . . . . . . . .
MSX Midcourse Space Experiment (DoDmission, M.27, Note: MSXexperi- . . . . . . . . . . .
ments are also performed fromseveral Shuttle missions in conjunction
with the MSX spacecraft)
MTBF Mean Time Between Failure . . . . . . . . .
MTF Modulation Transfer Function . . . . . . . . . . .
3545
MTG Meteosat Third Generation (satellite series of EUMETSAT, planned . . . . . . . . . .
for launch in time frame of 2015, in study phase as of 2005)
MTI Moving Target Indication [there is also the termGMTI (Ground Mov- . . . . . . . . . . .
ing Target Indication)]
MTPE Mission To Planet Earth [US program, see D.16, Note: As of January . . . . . . . . .
1998 MTPE was renamed by NASA to Earth Science Enterprise
(ESE)]
MTQ Magnetic Torquer (or Magnetorquer) . . . . . . . . . .
MTSAT Multifunction Transport Satellite [Japanese geostationary multi ---pur- . . . . . . . .
pose satellite program, procured by JMA (Japan Meteorological
Agency) and JCAB (Japan Civil Aviation Bureau)]
MUOS Mobile User Objective System (US Navy next generation communica- . . . . . . . . .
tionsatellite constellationof 4 spacecraft; (launchof MUOS---1 onFeb.
24, 2012)
MUSIS Multinational Space---based Imaging System (as of 2008 a European . . . . . . . . .
initiative for space cooperation for security and defense). Belgium,
France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Spain are the MUSIS partners.
The MUSIS programs includes a common network.
MW Microwave (spectral region with wavelengths from 1mm to 1 m) . . . . . . . . . . .
MWIR Mid---Wavelength Infrared (about 3 --- 5 mm) . . . . . . . . .
MWR Microwave Radiometer . . . . . . . . . .
N
N
2
O Nitrous oxide . . . . . . . . . . .
N
2
O
5
Nitrogen pentoxide . . . . . . . . . .
N/A Not Applicable (Not Available) . . . . . . . . . . .
NABE North Atlantic Bloom Experiment (campaign within JGOFS) . . . . . . . . .
NAC Narrow---Angle Camera . . . . . . . . . . .
NACA National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics (USA, 1915---1958, pre- . . . . . . . . .
decessor organization of NASA)
NADC Naval Air Development Center (Warminster, PA, USA) . . . . . . . . .
NAE National Aeronautical Establishment of NRC (National Research . . . . . . . . . . .
Council, Canada)
NAIS Nationwide Automatic Identification System, a project of the USCG . . . . . . . . . .
(United States Coast Guard) to test the feasibility and effectiveness of
AIS message reception and reporting from space for ship tracking and
other navigational activities.
NAL National Aerospace Laboratory, Japan (since 1955), as of Oct. 1, 2003, . . . . . . . . . . .
NAL, NASDA, and ISAS were merged into JAXA
NAND Not AND (Negated AND) is a Boolean logic operation that is true if . . . . . . . . .
any single input is false. Two---input NAND gates are often used as the
sole logic element on gate array chips, because all Boolean operations
can be created from NAND gates.
NAND flash memory technology Provision of non---volatile data storage capability and
substantially higher storage density.
NAO National Astronomy Observatory, Tokyo, Japan (also NAOJ) . . . . . . . . . .
NAPP National Aerial Photography Program(of USGS). NAPP was initiated . . . . . . . . . .
in 1987 with the objective to acquire and archive aerial photography
(using either color or black---and---white film) on a five---year cycle at a
scale of 1:40,000. NAPPis a programjointly funded by federal agencies
and states that choose to participate. Data are available through the
EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, SD, USA
NARE North Atlantic Regional Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
NARI NASA Aeronautics Research Institute (at NASA/ARC, created in . . . . . . . . . .
2012)
NARL National Applied Research Laboratories (Taiwan, since June 2003). . . . . . . . . .
NARLis the governmental coordination/funding organizationof 12na-
3546
tional laboratories in Taiwan, NSPO (National Space Organization of
Taiwan) is one of them. NARL is a nonprofit organization, solely fun-
ded by the National Science Council of Taiwan.
NARSS National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences, (Cairo, . . . . . . . .
Egypt, since 1971)
NAS National Academy of Sciences (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NAS National Airspace System (FAA, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA, since July 1958 . . . . . . . . .
when the US Congress created the National Aeronautics and Space
Act. The legislation was signed by President Dwight Eisenhower on
July 29, 1958. --- --- NASA officially began operations on October 1,
1958).
NASA/ARC NASA/Ames Research Center (Moffett Field, CA, since 1939) . . . . .
NASA/DFRC NASA/DrydenFlight ResearchCenter (Edwards AFB, CA, since1946) . . .
NASA/GSFC NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, MD, since 1959) . . . .
NASA/HQ NASA/Headquarters (Washington, DC) . . . . . .
NASA/JPL NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (Pasadena, CA, since Dec. 3, 1958) . . . . . .
NASA/JSC NASA/Johnson Space Center (Houston, TX, since 1961) . . . . . .
NASA/KSC NASA/Kennedy Space Center (Cap Canaveral, FL, since 1967) . . . . .
NASA/LaRC NASA/Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA, since 1917) . . . .
NASA/LeRC NASA/Lewis Research Center (Cleveland, OH, since 1941). Note: . . . .
LeRC was renamed to John H. Glenn Research Center (NASA/GRC)
on March 1. 1999
NASA/GRC NASA/John H. Glenn Research Center . . . .
NASA/MSFC NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (Huntsville, AL, since 1960) . . .
NASA/SSC NASA/Stennis Space Center (Pearl River, MS). Testing of rockets and . . . . .
engines (Shuttle); collocation of US Navy facilities, Naval Oceano-
graphic Office, Naval Research Laboratory, National Data Buoy Cen-
ter (NDBC, a NOAA/NWS facility), etc.
NASDA National Space Development Agency (of Japan, since 1969) . . . . . . . .
NASDA/EOC NASDA/Earth Observation Center (Tokyo, Japan, since 1978) . . .
NASDA/EOPD NASDA/Earth Observation Planning Department .
NASDA/EORC NASDA/Earth Observation Research Center (Tokyo) .
NASDA/EOSD NASDA/Earth Observation Satellite Department . .
NASRDA National Space Research & Development Agency, Nigeria (since May . . . . . .
1999)
NASS---CDL National Agricultural Statistics Service---Cropland Data Layer (a U.S. . . . .
standard providing timely, accurate, and useful statistics in service to
U.S. Agriculture).
NATAC North Atlantic Chemistry Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
NAVCEN Navigation Center (US Coast Guard, Alexandria, VA --- NAVCEN is . . . . . .
responsible for gathering system status information on GPS, DGPS,
Omega, and Loran---C)
NAVSAT Navy Navigation Satellite System(NAVSAT, also knownas Transit, was . . . . . . .
the first satellite navigation system of the USA, starting in 1958)
NAVSOC Naval Satellite Operations Center (US Navy, NAVSOC HQ is at Point . . . . . . .
Mugu, CA, since 1962. NAVSOC facilities stretch across the USA)
NAVSTAR---GPS Navigation System with Time and Ranging --- Global Positioning Sys-
tem(Precision real ---time position determinationsystemof the USAir-
Force, H.5)
NAWC Navy Air Warfare Center (Point Mugu, CA) . . . . . . . . .
NaSBE Sodium Sulfur Battery Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
NBIOME Northern Biosphere Observation and Modelling Experiment (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
NBS National Bureau of Standards (USA, since 1901, predecessor of NIST) . . . . . . . . . . .
3547
NbN Niobium Nitride [ultra---thin films usually in connection with HEB . . . . . . . . . . .
(Hot Electron Bolometer) technique, a mixer for quasi optical THz re-
ceiver]
Nb:AlOx:Nb Niobium:Aluminum Oxide:Niobium (tunnel junction material) . . . .
Nd:YAG A neodymium---doped yttrium aluminum garnet crystal (solid---state) . . . . . . .
laser
NCAR National Center for Atmospheric Research (Boulder CO, NCAR is . . . . . . . . .
managed and operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric
Research (UCAR) under the sponsorship of the National Science
Foundation (NSF), NCAR has two laboratory sites in Boulder: Mesa
Laboratory since 1966, Foothills Laboratory since 1992)
NCAR/ATD NCAR / Atmospheric Technology Division . . . .
NCAR/ACD NCAR / Atmospheric Chemistry Division . . . .
NCAR/RAF NCAR / Research Aviation Facility . . . .
NCAR/MMM NCAR / Mesoscale & Microscale Meteorology Division . . .
NCAR/CGD NCAR / Climate and Global Dynamics Division . . . .
NCAR/HAO NCAR / High Altitude Observatory . . . .
NCASST National Center for Advanced Small Spacecraft Technology . . . . . . .
NCC National Climatic Center (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NCDC National Climatic Data Center (of NOAA/NESDIS, Asheville, NC) . . . . . . . . .
NCDS NASA Climate Data Center (at GSFC, Science data archive for atmo- . . . . . . . . .
spheric chemistry and climate (ERBE, etc.)
NCEP National Centers for Environmental Prediction (USA) . . . . . . . . .
NDBC National Data Buoy Center [a NOAA/NWS facility at Stennis Space . . . . . . . . .
Center (SSC), MS, since 1982; between 1970---1982 NDBO (NOAA
Data Buoy Center) was the predecessor of NDBC at SSC]
NDGPS Nationwide DGPS (Differential GPS), the USCG is implementing an . . . . . . . .
NDGPS network across the USA --- a systemfor continuous GPSinteg-
rity monitoring and control
NDIR Non---Dispersive Infrared (Spectrometer) . . . . . . . . . .
NDOC National Oceanographic Data Center (USA) . . . . . . . . .
NDSC Network for the Detection of Stratospheric Change . . . . . . . . .
NDTP North Dakota Thunderstorm Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
NDVI Normalized Difference Vegetation Index . . . . . . . . . .
NEA Near Earth Asteroid (detection) . . . . . . . . . . .
NEAT Near Earth Asteroid Tracking (NASA/JPL ground---based program to . . . . . . . . .
track NEO asteroids)
NEC NipponElectric Company, Tokyo, Japan. Manufacturer of communica- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion payloads and of Earth sensors for attitude control. NEC has also
developed a number of satellites such as: GMS series, MOS---1, BS---3
series, MUSES---B, OICETS, etc.
NEC Toshiba Merger of NECand Toshiba space businesses into NEC Toshiba Space . . . .
Systems Ltd., Yokohama, Japan, in Oct. 2001. Manufacturer of com-
mercial satellites.
NEDRES National Environmental Data Referential Service (NOAA service) . . . . . .
NEIS National Earthquake Information Service (USGS, Denver, CO) . . . . . . . . . .
NEA Noise Equivalent Angle . . . . . . . . . . .
NEAR Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous S/C(of NASAwith a launch Feb. 17, . . . . . . . . .
1996, the mission is managed and operated by JHU/APL). As of March
2000, NASA renamed the satellite to NEAR Shoemaker in honor of
Eugene M. Shoemaker, a geologist.
NEDR Noise Equivalent Delta (or Differential) Radiance (systemsensitivity) . . . . . . . . .
NEDT Noise Equivalent Delta (or Differential) Temperature (systemsensitiv- . . . . . . . . .
ity), also referred to as NEDT
NEDO NewEnergy andIndustrial Technology Development Organization --- a . . . . . . . . .
Department of METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade andIndustry) of the
Government of Japan.
3548
NEEMO NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations (NASA undersea . . . . . . .
program)
NEFD Noise---Equivalent Flux Density (see Glossary) . . . . . . . . .
NELS Northwest European LORAN---C System (a network of nine stations) . . . . . . . . . .
NEMO Navy EarthMap Observer [US Navy (NRL) and STDC; Note: the . . . . . . . . .
NEMO mission was cancelled in April 2002)
NEMS Nano---Electromechanical System (sensor technology) . . . . . . . . .
NEO Near Earth Object (NEOs, such as comets or asteroids, are part of the . . . . . . . . . .
solar system with orbits that regularly bring them close to the Earth.
NEOs may pose a thread toEarth, they are capable someday of striking
our planet)
NEP Noise---Equivalent Power . . . . . . . . . . .
NEPP NASA Electronic Parts and Packaging Program . . . . . . . . . .
NER Noise Equivalent Radiance . . . . . . . . . . .
NERC Natural Environment Research Council (Swindon, UK) . . . . . . . . .
NERSC NansenEnvironmental andRemote SensingCentre (Bergen, Norway), . . . . . . . .
formerly known as NRSC, a non---profit research institute affiliated
with the University of Bergen.
NESR Noise---Equivalent Spectral Radiance (see Glossary) . . . . . . . . .
NESDIS National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service . . . . . . . .
(NOAA centers at Suitland, MD, and Boulder, CO)
NESS Near Earth Space Surveillance (a proposed microsatellite mission of . . . . . . . . . .
CSA, Canada)
NESZ Noise Equivalent Sigma Zero(a measure of the sensitivity of thesystem . . . . . . . . . .
to areas of low radar backscatter)
NewDISS NewDISS is NASAs next generation data (over 6---10 years), informa- . . . . . . .
tion and services system for Earth science.
NEWS NOAA Earth Watch Service (information system) . . . . . . . . .
NEXRAD Next---Generation Weather Radar (a US ground---based system with . . . . . .
the name of WSR---88D(Weather Surveillance Radar---1988 Doppler)
NEXT NASAs Evolutionary Xenon Thruster (NEXT is a gridded ion propul- . . . . . . . . .
sion system, it is a trottle---able system in the class of 0.6---7 kW)
NextView A program and initiative of NGA (National Geospatial ---Intelligence . . . . . . .
Agency), WashingtonDC, designedtogive UScommercial imagingsat-
ellite operators the financing to build their satellites for high---resolu-
tion imagery.
NFIRE Near---Field Infrared Experiment (a LEO mission of the US DoD . . . . . . . . .
launched in 2007). The objective is to provide multispectral imagery of
potential target types.
NFOW Narrow Field of View (sensor) . . . . . . . . .
NGA National Geospatial ---Intelligence Agency, USA; NGA is providing . . . . . . . . . .
mapping and related services for the US military and intelligence com-
munities. Note: As of Nov. 2003, NIMA (National Intelligence Map-
ping Agency) changed its name to NGA.
NGAS Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, El Segundo, CA (as of Jan. . . . . . . . . .
2009)
NGDC National Geophysical Data Center (NOAA facility at Boulder, CO, . . . . . . . . .
since 1965)
NGSI Next Generation Space Internet . . . . . . . . . .
NGST Next Generation Space Telescope [NASA satellite (an infrared obser- . . . . . . . . .
vatory positioned at L2) with a planned launch in 2014 to replace HST
(Hubble Space Telescope)]. The NGST design employs a collapsible
mirror of 6 mindiameter whendeployed(deployable lightweight optics
technology is required). The orbital locationwill be at L2. Theobjective
is to explore the early years of the universe in the infrared region. The
NGSTprogramstarted in 1995 (joint project of NASA, ESAand CSA).
ESA is providing the launch on Ariane---5 and the Near---Infrared
3549
Spectrograph. JWSTs primary instrument, the Near Infrared Camera
(NIC), is NASAs responsibility.
NGST Northrop Grumman Space Technologies (formerly TRW Space & . . . . . . . . .
Electronics; Northrop Grumman acquired TRW in Dec. 2002).
Note: In Jan. 2009 NG reorganized. The former NGIS (Northrop
Grumman Integrated Systems) and NGST were combined into NGAS
(Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems)
NH
3
Ammonia . . . . . . . . . . .
NH
4
Ammonium (ammonia radical) . . . . . . . . . . .
NIAC NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts . . . . . . . . . .
NIC National Ice Center [USA, a joint agency formed by the US Navy, . . . . . . . . . . .
NOAA, and the USCG (US Coast Guard)]
NiCd Nickel Cadmium (battery) . . . . . . . . . .
NiH
2
Nickel Hydrogen (battery) . . . . . . . . . .
NiMH Nickel Metal Hydride (battery) . . . . . . . . .
NIERSC Nansen International Environmental and Remote Sensing Center . . . . . . .
(since 1992, a Scientific Foundation and a non---profit project---ori-
entedinstitute locatedin St. Petersburg, Russia). The initial joint---ven-
ture had four co---founders: Nansen Environmental and Remote Sens-
ing Center (Bergen, Norway), Research Centre for Ecological Safety---
RAS (St.Petersburg, Russia), Max Planck Society (Munich, Germany),
andEnvironmental Research Institute of Michigan(Ann Arbor, USA),
nowAltarumInstitute with a contribution of the Joint ResearchCentre
of the European Commission (Ispra, Italy).
NMR Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (spectroscopy) . . . . . . . . . .
NNMRS National Natural Resources Management System [an agency of DOS . . . . . . .
(Department of Space), India]
NO Nitric oxide . . . . . . . . . . . .
NO
2
Nitrogen dioxide . . . . . . . . . . .
NO
3
Nitrate radical . . . . . . . . . . .
NO
x
(NOx) Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO
2
, NO
3
) . . . . .
NO
y
(NOy) Total active nitrogen . . . . .
NOHRSC National Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center (of NOAA/ . . . . . .
NWS at Chanhassen, MN, USA)
NIAC NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts. NIAC is run by USRA for . . . . . . . . . .
NASA (created in 1998 to solicit revolutionary concepts from people
and organizations outside the agency that could advance NASAs mis-
sions)
NICMOS Near---Infrared Camera and Multi ---Object Spectrometer (Hubble . . . . . . .
sensor installed in early 1997, built by Ball Aerospace)
NICT National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, . . . . . . . . . .
Tokyo (since 2004). Note: NICT is a merger of CRL (Communication
Research Laboratory and the Telecommunications Advancement Or-
ganization of Japan.
NIES National Institute of Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan . . . . . . . . . .
NIH---R National Institute of Health (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . .
NIIEM Scientific and Research Institute of Electromechanics, Istra (Moscow . . . . . . . . .
Region), Russia; NIIEMwas founded in 1960 by VNIIEM. In 1992 the
institute NIIEM became an independent entity. Development of LEO
meteorological satellites.
NIIR State Radio Scientific Research Institute, Moscow; developer/builder . . . . . . . . . .
of communication equipment in the widest sense, participation in pro-
grams: Orbita, Ekran, Ekran---M, Moskva, Gorizont, Gals, Express, In-
terkosmos, Intersputnik, Apollo---Soyuz, Vega, Phobos, etc.
NIIRS National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (a task---based scale for . . . . . . . . .
rating imagery acquired fromimaging systems). The NIIRS defines dif-
3550
ferent levels of imagequality/interpretability basedonthetypes of tasks
an analyst can perform with images of a given NIIRS rating.
NILU Norwegian Institute for Air Research (Lillestrom, Norway) . . . . . . . . . .
NIMA National Imagery and Mapping Agency (Arlington, VA, a US govern- . . . . . . . . .
ment agency established in Oct. 1996). NIMA incorporates the De-
fence Mapping Agency (DMA), the Central Imagery Office, and the
Defense Dissemination Office as well as CIAs Photographic Inter-
pretation Center. NIMA is also the principal buyer of commercial im-
agery for all DoD organizations. Note: In Nov. 2003, NIMA was re-
named to NGA (National Geospatial---Intelligence Agency)
Ni ---MH Nickel ---Metal Hydride cell (a type of secondary electrochemical cell . . . . . . . .
similar to a nickel hydrogen cell --- used in spacecraft batteries)
NIMBUS NASA EO missions series, M.29 . . . . . . .
NIMS Navy Ionospheric Monitoring System (H.7) . . . . . . . . . .
NIPR Nippon Institute for Polar Research, Japan . . . . . . . . . .
NIR Near Infrared (spectrum, from 0.75 to about 1.3 mm) . . . . . . . . . . .
NIS NEXRAD---In---Space (a NASA mission concept to provide a geosta- . . . . . . . . . . . .
tionary satellite Doppler radar observations)
NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA, an agency of . . . . . . . . . .
DOC, formerly National Bureau of Standards, since 1901)
NIVR Nederlands Instituut voor Vliegtuigontwikkeling en Ruimtevaart . . . . . . . . . .
(Netherlands Institute for Air and Space Development, Delft, The
Netherlands, since 1946)
NKAU National Space Agency of Ukraine (since 1992), also referred to as . . . . . . . . .
SSAU (State Space Agency of Ukraine)
NLAS Nanosatellite Launch Adapter System(use of containerized secondary . . . . . . . . . .
spacecraft accommodations for launch vehicles)
NLO Nonlinear Optics (NLO is widely used in solid---state laser technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
NLOS Non---Line---of---Sight (refers todata or voice access service technology . . . . . . . . .
of spaceborne communications in NLOS operating environments such
as within buildings, aircraft, ships, dense metropolitan areas, and re-
mote/underground locations)
NLR Nationaal Lucht--- en Ruimtevaartlaboratorium (National Aerospace . . . . . . . . . . .
Laboratory, Amsterdamand Noordoostpolder, the Netherlands) since
1961. NLR is of NLL (Nationaal Luchtvaart Laboratorium) heritage
which was founded in 1937. As the central institute in the Netherlands
for aerospace research, NLR owns and operates several dedicated re-
search facilities.
NLSI NASA Lunar Science Institute (as of April 2008, based at the NASA . . . . . . . . . .
AMES Research Center, Moffett Field, CA)
NMC National Meteorological Center (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
NMHC Non---methane hydrocarbons . . . . . . . . .
NMOS N---channel MOS (Metal ---Oxide Semiconductor) . . . . . . . . .
NMP New Millennium Program (NASA/JPL). NASA created NMP in 1994 . . . . . . . . . .
to flight validate new spacecraft technologies. Deep Space 1 (launch
Oct. 24, 1998) was the first mission in NMP. The EO---1 (Earth Ob-
serving---1, launchNov. 21, 2000) missionis alsopart of NMP. Trailblaz-
er/ST5 (Space Technology 5) is a three microsatellite formation flying
mission with a planned launch in 2004.
NNSA National Nuclear Security Agency [established in 2000, a semi --- . . . . . . . . .
autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)]
NNSS Navy NavigationSatellite System(USA, alsoknown as the Transit sys- . . . . . . . . . .
tem, was the worlds first satellite navigation system, H.7)
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA is an . . . . . . . . .
agency of the US Department of Commerce, established in 1970 (pre-
decessor ESSA), it has the following major divisions: NOS (National
Ocean Service), NWS (National Weather Service), NMFS (National
Marine Fisheries Service), NESDIS (National Environmental Satel-
3551
lite, Data and Information Service), OOAR(Office of Oceanic andAt-
mospheric Research), and ONCO (Office of NOAA Corps Opera-
tions).
NOAA/AL NOAA/Aeronomy Laboratory (Boulder CO) . . . . . .
NOAA/AOML NOAA/Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Mi- . .
ami, FL. The HRD (Hurricane Research Division) is part of AOML.
NOAA/ARL NOAA/Air Resources Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD. Note: ARLcon- . . . .
sists of the HQ---DivisioninSilver Spring, MD, the ATTDinOakRidge
TN, the ASMD (Atmospheric Sciences Modeling Division) in Re-
search Triangle Park, NC, the FRD(Field Research Division) in Idaho
Falls, ID, and the SRRB (Solar Radiation Research Branch) in Boul-
der, CO.
NOAA/AOC NOAA/Aircraft Operations Center, MacDill AFB, Tampa, FL. Note: . . . .
AOC was created in 1983 [initially known as OAO (Office of Aircraft
Operations)] to manage NOAA aircraft, personnel, budget and facili-
ties in support of NOAA aircraft programs. AOC is under ONCO.
NOAA/ATDD NOAA/Atmospheric Turbulence and Diffusion Division, Oak Ridge, . . .
TN
NOAA/CDC NOAA/Climate Diagnostics Center (Boulder, CO) . . . .
NOAA/CMDL NOAA/ Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory, Boulder CO. . .
NOAA/ERL NOAA/Environmental Research Laboratories, headquartered in Sil- . . . .
ver Spring, MD. (under OOAR). All NOAA laboratories are run
throughOOAR/ERL, these are: AL, AOML, ARL, CDML, ETL, FSL,
GFDL, GLERL, NSSL, PMEL, SEL, CDC, and the Joint Institutes.
NOAA/ETL NOAA/ Environmental Technology Laboratory, Boulder, CO, (for- . . . .
merly WPL = Wave Propagation Laboratory)
NOAA/FSL NOAA/Forecast Systems Laboratory (Boulder, CO) . . . . .
NOAA/GFDL NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, NJ. . . .
NOAA/GLERL NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental ResearchLaboratory, AnnArbor, .
MI.
NOAA/NSSL NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK. . . .
NOAA---NESDIS NOAA/National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Ser-
vice, Suitland, MD. --- NESDISfunctions are: Satellite Operations, Sat-
ellite Data Processing and Distribution, Research and Applications,
Systems Development, National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), Na-
tional Oceanic Data Center (NODC), National Geophysical DataCen-
ter (NGDC).
NOAA/NCDC NOAA---NESDIS/National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC. . .
NOAA/NDBC NOAA---National Data Buoy Center (a NOAA/NWS facility at Stennis . .
Space Center, MS)
NOAA/NGDC NOAA---NESDIS/National Geophysical Data Center, Boulder, CO . .
NOAA/NGS NOAA---National Geodetic Survey . . . .
NOAA/NODC NOAA---NESDIS/National Oceanographic Data Center (Silver Spring . .
MD)
NOAA/NOS NOAA/National Ocean Service --- NOS functions are: coast and geo- . . . .
detic survey, ocean resources conservation and assessment, ocean and
coastal resources management, ocean and earth sciences.
NOAA/NSIDC NOAA/National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO (NSIDC is . .
located at the University of Colorado at Boulder)
NOAA/NWS NOAA/National Weather Service --- NWS functions are: meteorology, . . . .
hydrology, systems operations, systems development, national meteo-
rological center, national data buoy center
NOAA/OAO NOAA/Office of Aircraft Operations, Miami, FL (old designation) . . . .
NOAA/OOAR NOAA/Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research --- OOAR func- . .
tions: oceanic research program, environmental research laboratories.
NOAA/PMEL NOAA/Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (Seattle, WA, since . . .
1973)
3552
NOAA/SEC NOAA/Space Environment Center (Boulder, CO) . . . .
NOAA/SEL NOAA/Space Environment Laboratory (Boulder, CO), Note: NOAA/ . . . . .
SEL changed its name to NOAA/SEC in 1997
NOAO National Optical Astronomy Observatory (theUSnational observatory . . . . . . . . .
for nighttime optical/infrared astronomy funded by the National
Science Foundation)
NODS NASA Ocean Data System (located at JPL; Measurements in the ar- . . . . . . . . .
chive are related to altimetry, scatterometry, and microwave radiome-
try. NODS archives and distributes data products for TOPEX/Posei-
don)
NOPEX Northern---Hemisphere Climate Processes Land---surface Experiment . . . . . . . .
(campaign)
NOPP National Oceanographic Partnership Program (USA, since 1997, . . . . . . . . .
NOPP has a mandate from Congress). The objective is to foster coop-
eration and partnerships among federal agencies, academia, industry
and other members of the oceanographic scientific community.
NORAD North American Aerospace Defense Command (since 1958), located . . . . . . .
at Patterson Air Force Base in CO, USA. NORAD is a joint organiza-
tion of Canada and the United States that provides aerospace warning,
air sovereignty, and defense for the two countries.
NORCSEX Norwegian Continental Shelf Experiment (campaign) . . . . .
NORDA Northern Oceans Research and Development Activities (Canada) . . . . . . .
NORSEX Norwegian Remote Sensing Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
Northrop Northrop Grumman Corporation with HQ in Los Angeles, CA. A de- . . . . . . .
fense and electronics company [DoD radar (SAR) systems, imaging
and information technology, OLS (Operational Linescan System) in-
strument of DMSP series, payload of SBIRS (Space---Based Infrared
System) program of DoD, etc.]. Northrop Grumman purchased TRW
in Dec. 2002.
NOSC Naval Ocean Systems Center (San Diego, CA) . . . . . . . . .
NOSL Night/Day Optical Survey of Lightning (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
NOSS Naval Ocean Surveillance Satellite, also referred to as Whitecloud, . . . . . . . . . .
White Cloud or Classic Wizzard (a US Navy S/C series, sponsored
by NRO, and launched fromVAFB, CAon Atlas vehicles).
6189)
NOSS
is a wide area ocean surveillance systemused to determine the location
of radio and radar transmissions, using triangulation (NRO uses the
NOSS satellites to keep tabs on ships around the globe). --- Each NOSS
launch placed a cluster of one primary satellite and three smaller sub---
satellites (that trail along at distances of several hundred m apart in a
triangle formation) into low polar orbit. This satellite array can deter-
mine the location of radio and radars transmitters, using triangulation,
and the identity of naval units, by analysis of the operating frequencies
and transmission patterns. NOSS used the ELINT technique called
TDOA (time difference of arrival), rather than true interferometry.
NOSS---1 launch April 30, 1976 (1100 km altitude, inclination of
63.5)
6190)
, NOSS---2 launch Dec. 8, 1977, NOSS---3 launch March 3,
1980, NOSS---4 launch Feb .9, 1983, NOSS---8 launch May 15, 1987
(also referred to as USA---22), NOSS---9 launch Sept. 5, 1988 (also
known as USA---32). --- Second generation NOSS satellites were
launched starting in 1990. There are three groups of the 2ndgeneration
NOSS satellites each having three satellites in close proximity to one
another. The first NOSS---2---1 triplet was launched on June 8, 1990 on
_____________________
6189) A. Andronov, TheUSNavys WhiteCloudSpaceborneELINTSystem, inZarubezhnoye VoyennoyeObrozre-
niye (Foreign Military Review), ISSN 0134--- 921X, No. 7, 1993, pp. 57--- 60, translated by Allen Thomson
6190) Note: The orbital inclination of 63.5 (identical with Molniya--- type orbits) of the NOSS satellite series as well as
the practice of triple launches suggest strongly that highly elliptical Molniya orbits are being used, providing high---
latitude continuous coverage of the northernhemisphere. Inthis configuration, at least 3S/Careneededtoprovide
continuous coverage.
3553
aTitan---IVvehiclefromCapeCanaveral; thesecondNOSS---2---2trip-
let was launched on Nov. 8, 1991; and the third triplet of NOSS---2---3
was launched May 12, 1996 from VAFB. The latest NOSS launch oc-
curred Dec. 2, 2003 from VAFB.
NOWES Northern Wetlands Study (campaign) . . . . . . .
NO
x
Nitrogen oxides . . . . . . . . . . .
NO
y
Total reactive nitrogen . . . . . . . . . . .
NPL National Physical Laboratory (Teddington, Middlesex, UK; NPL is an . . . . . . . . . . .
agency of the Department of Trade and Industry)
NPO Naulshno Proizwodstwennoje Objedijenie (Scientific/Research Pro- . . . . . . . . . . .
duction Association, Russia)
NPO AP NPO for Automation and Instrument Engineering, Moscow; since . . . . . . .
1947; participation in the following programs: Venera, Mars, Luna,
Soyuz, Proton, Zenit, Energia---Buran; builder of on---board guidance
and navigation systems
NPO Geofizika Moscow; since 1908, a major enterprise for the development of auto- . .
matic andvisual opto---electronic instruments; participationinnational
programs: Vostok, Salyut, Soyuz, MIR, Energia---Buran, etc.
NPO Mashinostroyenia Russiancompany, Reutov, MoscowRegion, builder/integrator
of S/C (ALMAZ series), participation in programs: Kosmos, Proton,
Polyot, Salyut, etc. --- NPO Mashinostroyenia came into existence in
1944 as OKB---51 (Design Bureau of Factory 51). In 1955, Chelomeys
(Vladimir N. Chelomey was general director and chief designer) group
was re---established as a separate design bureau, designated OKB---52.
In 1966 the OKB---52 was renamed to TsKBM(Central Design Bureau
for Machine Building) of the Ministry of General Machine---Building.
In 1983 TsKBM took its current name, NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
NPO Planeta Scientific and Research Center on Space Hydrometeorology (Moscow, . . . .
since 1974), operators of satellites (Meteor, Okean, Resurs, GOMS se-
ries) along with corresponding ground segments, providers of services
to the user community in the areas of meteorology/climate, oceanogra-
phy, Earth resources, and ecological monitoring. From an organiza-
tional point of view, NPO Planeta is an agency positioned under RO-
SHYDROMET, the Committee for Hydrometeorology and Environ-
mental Monitoring
NPO PM Research and Production Association of Applied Mechanics (Priklad- . . . . . . .
noi Mekaniki), Krasnoyarsk (a closed city until 1991) Siberia. NPOPM
was founded in 1959, since 1977 it is builder/integrator of communica-
tionsatellites (Gorizont, Express, Molniya---1, ---2, ---3, Raduga---1, Ek-
ran, Ekran---M, Luch, Radio, etc.), navigation satellites (GLONASS,
Tsikada), and geodetic satellites (GEO---IK, Etalon); advanced pro-
grams (Express---M, Gonets, Arkos, Mayak, Gals)
Note: As of March 2008, NPO---PM was reorganized and renamed to:
JSC---ISS (Joint---Stock Company --- Information Satellite Systems),
Zheleznogorsk, Russia. JSC---ISS is also referred to as: JSC Informa-
tion Satellite Systems Reshetnev Company. This is in honor of M. F.
Reshetnev, the founder of the enterprise.
6191)
--- JSC Research&Production Enterprise Geofizika---Cosmos,Mo-
scow
--- JSC Research&Production Enterprise Kvant, Moscow
--- JSC Research&Production Enterprise of Space Instruments,
Rostov---on---Don
--- JSC Siberian Devices and Systems, Omsk
--- JSC Testing Technical Center --- NPO PM, Zheleznogorsk
--- JSC NPO PM --- Small Design Bureau, Zheleznogorsk
_____________________
6191) http://www.iss--- reshetnev.com/images/File/magazin/2008/m4--- screen_en.pdf
3554
--- JSC NPO PM --- Razvitie, Zheleznogorsk
--- JSC Sibpromprojekt, Zheleznogorsk
NPO Vega Russian space/defense industry consortium, Moscow, designers and . . . . . .
builders of SAR instruments, etc., operators of airborne instruments
NPO Yuzhnoye Design Office Yuzhnoye, in Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine (builder of . .
OKEAN S/C series, Dnepr launch vehicle, etc.)
NPOESS National Polar---orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System . . . . . . .
(merged POES and DMSPseries, with launches projectedfor 2008 and
beyond)
NPOP NASA Polar Platform . . . . . . . . .
NPP NPOESS Preparatary Project . . . . . . . . . . .
NPS Naval Poraduate School (Monterey, CA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NRAM Nano---RAM (Nanovolatile Random Access Memory), a proprietary . . . . . . . . .
computer memory technology from the company Nantero. NRAM is
based on the mechanical position of carbon nanotubes deposited on a
chip---like substrate.
NRAO National Radio Astronomy Observatory (USA) . . . . . . . . .
NRC National Research Council (Washington, DC, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NRC (NRCan) Natural Resources Canada (Ottawa, Canada) . .
NRCS Normalized Radar Cross---Section (an aspect of ocean surface reflec- . . . . . . . . . .
tivity, also referred to as s

)
NRCT National Research Council of Thailand . . . . . . . . .
NREL National Renewable Energy Laboratory (Golden, CO, of DOE) . . . . . . . . .
NRL Naval Research Laboratory (Washington, DC). NRL is the US Navys . . . . . . . . . . .
corporate research and development laboratory, created in 1923 with
over 4000 personnel (among them 1500 scientists) in the 1990s. NRL
maintains 15 research sites throughout the US. The three main NRL
sites are at: WashingtonDC, NRL/SSC(Stennis Space Center inBay St.
Louis, MS), and NRL/MRY (Monterey, CA).
NRL/NCST NRL/Naval Center for Space Technology . . . . .
NRL/RSD NRL/Remote Sensing Division . . . . . .
NRLM National Research Laboratory of Meteorology (Japan) . . . . . . . . .
NRO National Reconnaissance Office (agency of DoD, Chantilly, VA, USA, . . . . . . . . . .
since 1961). NRO sponsors and operates US reconnaissance S/C (Co-
rona series, etc.). The primary user of the imagery is the former NIMA,
nowNGA(National Geospatial ---Intelligence Agency). Inthe frame of
the 21
st
century, NRO is very interested in technology introduction in
satellites.
6192)
NRO/MSD NRO/Mission Support Directorate . . . . .
NROL NRO Launch [a designation for a spacecraft launch with a correspond- . . . . . . . . .
ing number, like NROL---22 (USA---184) which was launched on June
28, 2006]
NROL---38 A US reconnaissance satellite of NRO, a classified mission, which was . . . . .
launchedonJune 20, 2012 onanAtlas---5 vehiclefromCapeCanaveral,
FL. Launch provider: ULA (United Launch Alliance).
NROSS Navy Remote Ocean Sensing System (satellite) . . . . . . . .
NRSA National Remote Sensing Agency (since 1975, Balanagar, Hyderabad, . . . . . . . . .
India), NRSA is part of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization)
NRSC National Remote Sensing Centre (UK, this agency was privatized in . . . . . . . . .
1989, commercial sale of remote sensing data, operator of UK---PAF
for ESA)
NRSCC National Remote Sensing Center of China (Beijing). Note, NRSCC is . . . . . . . .
not a research organization. Rather, it is the administration under the
Ministry of Science and Technology of China.
NRZ Non---Return to Zero (communication signal parameter) . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6192) Bruce Carlson, NROs Historical, Current, and Potential Future Use of Small Satellites, Aug. 8, 2011, URL: ht-
tp://www.nro.gov/news/speeches/2011/2011--- 01.pdf
3555
NRZ---I Non---Return to Zero---Inverted . . . . . . . .
NSBF National Scientific Balloon Facility (NASA---owned facility in Fort . . . . . . . . . .
Sumner, NM)
NSC Norwegian Space Centre (Oslo, Norway) . . . . . . . . . . .
NSERC Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Canada) . . . . . . . .
NSF National Science Foundation (Arlington, VA, USA; since 1950; NSF is . . . . . . . . . . .
an independent govenment agency responsible for promoting science
and engineering). About 20,000 programs per year are supported by
NSF.
NSG National System for Geospatial Intelligence (of NGA) . . . . . . . . . . .
NSI NASA Science Internet --- an international dual protocol (TCP/IP and . . . . . . . . . . . .
DECnet) network (successor to SPAN)
NSIDC National Snow and Ice Data Center (Boulder, CO, NOAA facility at . . . . . . . . .
University of Colorado, established in 1982). NSIDC is co---located
with WDC---A(World Data Center Afor Glaciology). NSIDCis also a
DAACsite of the EOSProgram. NSIDChas extensive holdings of cryo-
spheric and polar ocean surface---flux data and routinely produces sea
ice maps from SSM/I sensor.
NSMC National Satellite Meteorological Center [since 1971, NSMCis the re- . . . . . . . . .
search and operational facility of CMA(China Meteorological Admin-
istration)]. NSMC has ground stations in Beijing, Guangzhou, and
Urumqi.
NSO Netherlands Space Office (since October 2008). NSO was established . . . . . . . . . . .
by the Dutch government in order to develop the Netherlands space
program and to bring that program to action.
NSOAS National Satellite Ocean Application Service, a center of SOA (State . . . . . . . .
Oceanic Administration), Beijing, China.
NSPO National Space Organization of Taiwan --- official name as of March . . . . . . . . . .
2005. The former meaning of NSPO was: National Space ProgramOf-
fice (Hsin---Chu City, Taiwan). NSPO is Taiwans space agency
(founded in Oct. 1991).
NSR Northern Sky Research. NSR is an international market research and . . . . . . . . . . .
consulting firmspecializing in satellite and wireless technology and ap-
plications.
NSSDC National Space Science Data Center (at NASA/GSFC) . . . . . . . .
NSSK North---South Stationkeeping . . . . . . . . . .
NSSL National Severe Storms Laboratory (Norman, OK, USA) . . . . . . . . . .
NSSO National Security Space Office (Washington, DC) . . . . . . . . . .
NSTAR NASA Solar Electric Power (SEP) Technology Application Readiness . . . . . . . .
NSW New South Wales (Australia) . . . . . . . . . .
NT NEC Toshiba Space Systems Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan, since 2001) . . . . . . . . . . . .
NTIA National Telecommunications & Information Administration (agency . . . . . . . . . .
of the US Department of Commerce)
NTIS National Technical Information Service (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
NTS Navigation Technology Satellite (DoD/NRL program of the 1970s also . . . . . . . . . . .
referred to as Timation which predated the GPS program)
NTSC National Television Standards Committee (US TV display standard . . . . . . . . . .
whichis alsoadoptedby a number of other countries. This is a 525---line
video signal with a 3.58 MHz chroma subcarrier at 60 Hz)
NTs OMZ Research Center for Operational Earth Monitoring (Moscow, Russia). . . . . . .
NZs OMZ (created by Roscosmos in 1999) is the Russian operator of
all Russian EO missions (and data reception of foreign EO missions),
providing also operative monitoring of JSC (Russian Space Systems),
3556
i.e, Russian Science Missions (since 2009).
6193)
NTT Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
NTU Nanyang Technological University, Singapore . . . . . . . . . . .
NWC National Weather Center . . . . . . . . . .
NWP Numerical Weather Prediction (this involves sophisticated computer . . . . . . . . . .
models and huge volumes of real ---time data to arrive finally at weather
forecasting)
NWS National Weather Service (USA) . . . . . . . . . .
O
O
2
Molecular oxygen . . . . . . . . . . . . .
O
3
Ozone . . . . . . . . . . . . .
O
x
(Ox) Odd oxygen (O+O
3
) . . . . . . . .
OACT Office of AdvancedConcepts andTechnology (NASA, formerly OAST) . . . . . . . . .
OAI Ohio Aerospace Institute, Cleveland, OH [consortium of nine Ohio . . . . . . . . . . .
universities, NASA/GRC(Lewis Field in Cleveland), AFRL(Dayton),
and private industry]
OARE Orbital Acceleration Research Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
OACES Ocean---Atmosphere Carbon Exchange Study (campaign) . . . . . . . .
OAP Orbit Average Power (OAP is one of the most important figures de- . . . . . . . . . . .
rived from the spacecraft systems design)
OAS Optical Aperture Synthesis. The OAS technique allows to reconstitute . . . . . . . . . . .
a telescope aperture of large surface by cophasing several individual
telescopes of smaller size. --- OAS is a candidate concept which may be
applied to extended source imagery from GEO. Such a configuration
may eventually be applied from a geostationary orbit to provide high---
resolution imagery (< 10 m) in particular target areas (disaster man-
agement support). Studies show that OAS implementations may be
feasible and affordable from ~ 2020 onwards.
O---ASIM Optical --- Appliqu Sensor Interface Module. The radiation--- . . . . . .
hardened O---ASIM, jointly developed by AFRL/RV and Space Micro
Inc., will include VCSEL---based short---reach full duplex optical inter-
faces (4x 10Gbps) with seamless migration to coarse---WDM or 40
Gbit/s for higher throughput.
OASIS Orbital Aggregation & Space Infrastructure (NASA launch concept) . . . . . . . . .
OASIS---1 Orbiter Autonomous Supporting InstrumentationSystem(Shuttle pay- . . . . . .
load)
OASIS On---Line Data Access and Service Information System (Catalog sys- . . . . . . . . .
tem at NOAA---NCDC)
OAST Office of Application and Space Technology (NASA, Shuttle payloads . . . . . . . . . .
are also designated by this name --- OAST---1, OAST---2, etc.)
OBC On---Board Computer . . . . . . . . . . .
OBS Observatoire Paris---Mendon (France) . . . . . . . . . . .
OCA Observatoire de la Cte dAzur (Nice, France) . . . . . . . . . .
OCE Ocean Color Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
OCEAN Ocean Color Environment Archive Network (ESA Program) . . . . . . . .
OClO (ClO
2
) Chlorine dioxide . . . . . . . . . .
OCO Orbiting Carbon Observatory . . . . . . . . . .
OCOS Ocean Climate Observing Study (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
OCT OmniCorder Technologies, Inc. of Stony Brook, NY(USA), since1997, . . . . . . . . . . .
manufacturer of the BioScanIR System (a medical device providing a
painless, non---contact, radiation---free method of measuring blood
flow in tissues and organs).
_____________________
6193) An Operator of Russian Space Systems of the Earth Remote Sensing, Roscosmos, Proceedings of the 49th Ses-
sion of UNCOPUOS--- STSC(UNCommittee onthe Peaceful Uses of Outer Space--- Scientific and Technical Sub-
committee), Vienna, Austria, Feb. 6--- 17, 2012, URL: http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/pdf/pres/stsc2012/2
012ind--- 06E.pdf
3557
OCTW Optical Communications Through Windows (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
OCXO Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator . . . . . . . . .
ODERACS Orbital Debris Radar Calibration System (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
ODIN Proposed Swedish astronomy and aeronomy mission (A.23, in Norse . . . . . . . . .
mythology Odin (also called Woden or Wotan) is one of the principal
gods)
QE Quantum Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . .
OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development . . . . . . . . .
OEDIPUS Observations of Electric---field Distributions in the Ionosphere Plasma . . . . . .
--- a Unique Strategy (Canadian sounding rocket missions from An-
doya, Norway and Poker Flat, Alaska)
OEIC Optoelectronic Integrated Circuit (a monolithic chip technology con- . . . . . . . . . .
taining light sources, photodetectors, modulators, and VLSI---density
electronic circuitry)
OES Office of Earth Science (NASA/HQ, since 1998, formerly Office of . . . . . . . . . . .
Mission to Planet Earth (OMTPE))
OEX Orbiter Experiments (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
OFDM Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing . . . . . . . . .
OGLOW Sun Orbiter Glow (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . .
OH Hydroxyl radical . . . . . . . . . . . .
OHB---System Orbital --- und Hydrotechnologie Bremen System GmbH (since 1958, . . .
originally known as: Otto Hydraulik Bremen). Amid---sized aerospace
and telecommunication company, located in Bremen, Germany --- with
a number of company participants andsubsidiaries inGermany andIta-
ly. OHB---System is part of the Fuchs Gruppe (since 1981). Satellites
built by the Fuchs Gruppe are: BremSat, SAFIR---1, ---2, ABRIXAS,
DIAMANT, MITA. Note: The company Carlo Gavazzi Space (CGS)
S.p.A, Milan, Italy was takenover by the Fuchs Gruppe in 1996; OHB---
Teledata was founded in 1996. LUXspace of Luxembourg, has been
formed in 2004 by OHB Technology AG as part of its European Com-
pany Network Strategy. In June 2007, OHB Technology AG acquired
the company Kayser---Threde GmbH of Munich, Germany.
In June 2011, OHB purchased the Space System Division of SSC
(Swedish Space Corporation).
6194)
OICETS Optical Interorbit Communications and Engineering Test Satellite (of . . . . . . .
NASDA, Japan)
OIP Optronic Instruments &Products [OIPis trading under the trade name . . . . . . . . . . .
Delft Sensor Systems (DSS)], located in Oudenaarde, Belgium. Note:
As of July 2003, OIP was purchased by Elbit Systems Ltd. of Haifa, Is-
rael.
OISL Optical Inter---Satellite Communication Link . . . . . . . . . .
OKEAN Ukrainian/Russian satellite series, D.37 . . . . . . .
OLED Organic Light Emitting Diode (a LEDmadeof semiconductingorganic . . . . . . . . .
polymers). The OLED technology is being introduced into all types of
displays (TV, camera, computer displays, etc.)
OMNI Operating Missions as Nodes on the Internet. OMNI is the first end--- . . . . . . . . .
to---end demonstration of operating NASA missions as nodes on IP.
OMUX Optical Multiplexer . . . . . . . .
ONERA Office National dEtudes et de Recherches Arospatiales --- The . . . . . . .
French Aeronautics and Space Research Center (Chatillon, Meudon,
Palaiseau, Avrieux, Mauzac, Toulouse, Lille, France) ONERA reports
to the French Ministry of Defense. CERT (Centre dEtudes et de Re-
cherches de Toulouse) is a center of ONERA. It carries out researchfor
and with the aeronautics, space and defense industries.
_____________________
6194) Peter B. de Selding, OHB Purchases SSCs Space Systems Division, Space News, June 27, 2011, p. 11, URL: ht-
tp://www.spacenews.com/satellite_telecom/110624--- ohb--- buys--- ssc--- space--- systems.html
3558
ONR Office of Naval Research(HQinArlington, VA). ONRcoordinates the . . . . . . . . . .
science and technology programs of the US Navy and Marine Corps.
NRL is a technical department of ONR.
OOA On---Orbit Assembly . . . . . . . . . .
OOS On---Orbit Servicing . . . . . . . . . . .
OPAC Occultations for Probing Atmosphere and Climate (Workshop series) . . . . . . . . . .
OPO Optical Parametric Oscillator (laser type) . . . . . . . . . . .
O---QPN Offset Quadriphase Pseudo---Noise . . . . . . .
OQPSK Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying . . . . . . . .
ORS Operationally Responsive Space (a DoD vision). The ORS Office was . . . . . . . . . . .
set up in May 2007. --- The ORS---1 spacecraft of USAF was launched
on June 30, 2011 on a Minotaur---1 vehicle of OSCfromMARS (Mid---
Atlantic Regional Spaceport), Wallops Island, VA.
6195)
The ORS---1 S/Cfeatures the SYERS---2 (Senior Year Electro---Optic-
al Reconnaissance System---2), a pushbroom VIS/infrared camera.
ORS Orbital Recovery System, calledConeXpress, of Orbital Recovery Cor- . . . . . . . . . . .
poration. ConeXpress ORS will be operated by Orbital Recovery Ltd.,
UK
ORFEUS Orbiting Retrievable Far and Extreme Ultraviolet Spectrograph (Ger- . . . . . .
man/US Shuttle payload)
OREGIN Organization of European GNSSEquipment andServices Industry (an . . . . . . .
industry association to support development of Galileo equipment and
services)
ORI Ocean Research Institute (University of Tokyo, Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
ORNL ORNL (Oak Ridge National Laboratory), Oak Ridge, TN (of DOE) . . . . . . . . .
rsted Danish research satellite, E.18 . . . . . . . . .
ORSTOM Office de la Recherche Scientifique et Technique Outre---Mer (Paris, . . . . . .
Montpellier, Orleans, etc., France) also: LInstitut francais de re-
cherche scientifque pour le dveloppement en coopration (French
scientific research institute for development in cooperation). In 1998
OSTROM was renamed to IRD (Institut de Recherche pour le Dve-
loppement)
OSA Optical Society of America . . . . . . . . . . .
OSDPD Office of Satellite Data Processing and Distribution (of NOAA) . . . . . . . .
OSC Orbital Sciences Corporation (Dulles, VA, USA, since April 1982, . . . . . . . . . . .
builder of small satellites and instruments, owner/operator of commer-
cial launch services for small payloads, Pegasus vehicle, etc.). ORB-
COMM, ORBIMAGE and Magellan (GPS receivers) are affiliates of
OSC, so are CTASpace Systems (McLean, VA) and MacDonald Dett-
wiler Associates Ltd (MDA, Vancouver, BC).
In the spring of 2010, OSC acquired GDAIS (General Dynamics Ad-
vanced Information Systems) of Scottsdale/Gilbert, AZ GDAIS built
such spacecraft as: Fermi/GLAST astronomy satellite for NASA, the
C/NOFSspace weather satellite for the Air Force, the GeoEye---1 com-
mercial imaging satellite for GeoEye, Inc., andthe NFIREexperiment-
al satellite for MDA (Missile Defense Agency).
OSCAR Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio(initially a satellite series of . . . . . . . .
a USA---based group of amateur radio enthusiasts; OSCAR I, the first
amateur satellite, was launched Dec. 12. 1961 by a Thor Agena B
launcher (piggyback toDiscover 36 of USAF) fromVAFB, CA(orbit of
372 kmx 211 km, inclinationof 81.2, periodof 91.8 min). OSCARI was
the first of the phase I series. In 1969 AMSATwas foundedto give ama-
teur radio satellites an international base. Note: Occasionally, there is
also the spelling of OSKAR.
OSI Open System Interconnect (a standard for open communication) . . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6195) Minotaur Launches ORS--- 1 From NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Space Daily, July 1, 2011, URL: ht-
tp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Minotaur_Launches_ORS_1_From_NASA_Wallops_Flight_Facility_999.html
3559
OSS NASAs Office of Space Science (Shuttle payloads, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . .
OSSS One Stop Satellite Solutions (Ogden, UT, since 1996, a spin---off com- . . . . . . . . . .
mercial company of CASTat Weber State University). OSSSbuilt MPA
(Multi ---Payload Adapter) for JAWSAT. Within the CubeSat program,
OSSS is also a US contact/partner for the Dnepr launch vehicle of ISC
Kosmotras of Moscow.
OSTC Federal Office for Scientific, Technical, andCultural Affairs of Belgium . . . . . . . . . .
[alsoreferredtoas SSTC(Services Fdraux des Affaires Scientifiques,
Techniques et Culturelles, Belgium)]
OSTA Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications, NASA(a designationthat . . . . . . . . . .
was also given to the early Shuttle payloads)
OSTST Ocean Surface Topography Science Team (an international team in- . . . . . . . . .
volving altimetry missions)
OSVS Orbiter Space Vision System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
OTTER Oregon Transect Ecosystem Research (campaign) . . . . . . . .
OWL Orbiting Wide---angle Light---collectors (proposed NASA/GSFC mis- . . . . . . . . . .
sion of two satellites; also: a measurement technique for the detection
of ultrahigh---energy cosmic radiation)
OWL OverWhelmingly Large telescope of ESO(European Southern Obser- . . . . . . . . . .
vatory). OWL is a next---generation optical and near---infrared tele-
scope, dubbed OWLfor the eponymous birds keen night vision. Witha
diameter of 100 m, OWL would combine unrivalled light gathering
power with the ability to resolve details down to a milli ---arc second
(marsec). The designis basedona spherical primary segmentedmirror.
OWLS Optical Wireless Links for intra---Satellite applications . . . . . . . . .
OWWS Operational Windshear Warning System (NCAR) . . . . . . . .
P
PACSAT A Protocol suite first developed by SSTL. PACSAT uses packet radio . . . . . . .
techniques in the microsatellite systemto transmit its data over the sat-
ellite RF link. Several layers of protocol are implemented in the PAC-
SAT suite, at the lower level HDLC (High---Level Data Link Control)
and X.25 provide the functions of packet multiplexing, error detection
andARQ(Automatic---Repeat Request) error correction. PACSATis a
point---to---multipoint protocol (broadcast); small ground terminals in
the satellite footprint receive/send the data. The PACSAT protocol
suite is also supporting data communications within the radio amateur
community (referred to as AX.25).
PADE Paquete Argentino de Experimentos (Argentine Experiments Package . . . . . . . . . .
on Shuttle)
PAF Processing and Archiving Facility (ESA facilities for the ERS---1 mis- . . . . . . . . . . .
sion in Europe: D---PAF at DLR/DFD, Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany;
F---PAF at CERSAT, Brest, France; I---PAF at ASI Matera, Italy; UK---
PAF at RAE, Farnborough, UK)
PAGES Past Global Changes (IGBP core program) . . . . . . . .
PAL Phase Alternation Line (German TV display standard). PAL has 625 . . . . . . . . . . .
scan lines per frame at 50 Hz.
PALACE Profiling ALACE (Autonomous Lagrangian Circulation Explorer) of . . . . . . .
NOAA/AOML. PALACEis a later versionof ALACE, first deployedin
1997. PALACE buoys have the added capability of data storage. They
cary a sensor package providing measurements of various parameters
such as conductivity and temperature. In the late 1990s, hundreds of
PALACE floats in the Atlantic Ocean are reporting to data collection
satellites on subsurface currents as well as profiles of salinity and tem-
perature.
PALE Paleoclimates for Arctic Lakes and Estuaries (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
PAM Portable Automated Mesonet (weather stations of NCAR) . . . . . . . . . . .
3560
PAMS Passive Aerodynamically---Stabilized Magnetically---Damped Satellite . . . . . . . . . .
(Shuttle payload)
PAN Panchromatic (data) . . . . . . . . . . .
PAN Peroxyacetylnitrate . . . . . . . . . . .
PANASH Paleoclimates of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres (IGBP/ . . . . . . .
PAGES program under focus 1)
PANSAT Petite Amateur Naval Satellite (S/C of Naval Postgraduate School, . . . . . . .
Monterey, CA, ejected from Shuttle)
PARASOL Polarization and Anisotropy of Reflectances for Atmospheric Science . . . . . .
coupled with Observations from a Lidar, a French mission, M.28.3
PARE Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (Shuttle experi- . . . . . . . . . .
ment)
PARLIQ Phase Partitioning in Liquids (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . .
PAS PanAmSat Corporation of Greenwich, CT(a daughter of Hughes Elec- . . . . . . . . . . .
tronics Corporation of Los Angeles, CA. PanAmSat is the world leader
of commercial satellite---basedcommunications services, launchof first
satellite (Galaxy---1) in 1983, launch of PAS---1 in 1988)
PASC Polar Atmospheric and Snow Chemistry (IGBP/IGAC project) . . . . . . . . . .
PASDE Photogrammetric Appendage Structural Dynamics Experiment . . . . . . . .
(Shuttle)
PASS Prince Albert Satellite Station(since 1972), owned by NRCan(Natural . . . . . . . . . .
Resources Canada and operated by CCRS (Canada Centre for Remote
Sensing).
PBL Planetary Boundary Layer . . . . . . . . . . .
PBO Plate Boundary Observatory (a distributed network of GPS stations . . . . . . . . . . .
and strainmeters in the framework of the US EarthScope program
PbS Lead Sulfide (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PbSi Lead Silicon (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . .
PC Photoconductive (detector) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PCB Printed Circuit Board . . . . . . . . . . .
PCG Protein Crystal Growth (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
PCG/STES Protein Crystal Growth / Single---Locker Thermal Enclosure System . . . . .
(Shuttle experiment)
PCI Peripheral Connection Interconnect (backplane commonly found in . . . . . . . . . . . .
IBM---compatible PCs). The industry standard PCI backplane (PCI lo-
cal bus) allows development of custominterfaces that provide DMAto
instruments with unique interfacing requirements.
PCM Pulse Code Modulation . . . . . . . . . . .
PD Photodiode (detector) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PDA Photodiode Array (detector) . . . . . . . . . . .
PDF Portable Document Format (Adobe standard) . . . . . . . . . . .
PDO Pacific Decadal Oscillation. PDOis a long---livedEl Nio---like pattern . . . . . . . . . . .
of Pacific climate variability.
PDOP Position Dilution of Precision (in the GPS information collection pro- . . . . . . . . .
cess a quality parameter --- PDOP is a measure of the geometrical
strength of the visible satellite configuration. The higher the number,
the more noise in the position reading)
PDP Plasma Diagnostics Package (Spacelab---2 sensor, studies of the inter- . . . . . . . . . . .
action between the Earths magnetic field and charged particles in the
ionosphere)
PDR Preliminary Design Review (a formal inspection of a projects high--- . . . . . . . . . . .
level design)
PE&RS Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing (ASPRS journal) . . . . . . . .
PEACAMPOT Perturbationby East Asia Continental Air Mass toPacific Oceanic Tro- . .
posphere (campaign)
3561
PEM Polymer Electrolyte Membrane(fuel cell technology), sometimes PEM . . . . . . . . . . .
is also referred to as Proton Electrolyte Membrane. Both meanings are
the same.
PEMs Plastic Encapsulated Microcircuits (PEMs are being used in many . . . . . . . . . .
space applications)
PEM---West Pacific Exploratory Mission --- West (campaign) . . . . .
PEO Polyethylene Oxide (a fuel cell type) . . . . . . . . . . .
PEP Pole---Equator---Pole (transect of PANASH campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
PFM Proto---Flight Model (generally an early version of a payload instru- . . . . . . . . . . .
ment)
PGIM Plant Growth Investigations in Microgravity (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
PHCF Pituitary---Growth Hormone Cell Function (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
PHM Passive HydrogenMaser (ESAselectedthe PHMas the master clock in . . . . . . . . . .
the Galileo navigation payload --- due to with its excellent frequency
stability)
PHOTON Russian solar---terrestrial mission (K.8.1) . . . . . .
PL Phillips Laboratory of USAF (PL is headquartered at Kirtland Air . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Force Base, Albuquerque, NM, and has locations at Hanscom AFB,
Bedford, MA, and Edwards AFB, CA)
PI Principal Investigator . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PISCES Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, University . . . . . . . .
of Hawaii, Hilo, HI
PLZT Lead Lanthanum Zirconium Titanate (PLZT ceramics is a ferroelec- . . . . . . . . . .
tric material with an interesting behavior of phase transition and trans-
parency inquite widespectral range(at least 0.4---6 mm), allowing touse
optical methods to study principles of solid state physics and optics)
PIC Photonic Integrated Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . .
PIC Peripheral Interface Controller (a family of Harvard architecture mi- . . . . . . . . . . . .
crocontrollers made by Microchip Technology)
PID Proportional Integral Derivative (controller --- a generic control loop . . . . . . . . . . .
feedback mechanism)
PID Prototype International Directory (CEOS---defined Directory Inter- . . . . . . . . . . .
change Format (DIF)); CEOS members operating an archive with PID
capability are: CCRS, DLR/DFD, ESA/ESRIN, NASA, NASDA,
NOAA, RAE, etc. . Hence, standardized archival access is possible
(see: IDN).
PIDC Precision Instrument Development Center (of the National Science . . . . . . . . . .
Council, Taiwan), Hsinchu, Taiwan ROC
PIK Potsdam Institut fr Klimaforschung (Potsdam Institute for Climate . . . . . . . . . . . .
Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany)
PILOT Portable Inflight Landing Operations Trainer (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
PILPS Project for Intercomparisonof Landsurface ParameterizationSchemes . . . . . . . . .
(WCRP/GEWEX project)
PIN Positive Insulator Negative (diode) . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pioneer---10 ANASA/JPLinterplanetary S/C(Jupiter Flyby Mission) mission witha . . . . .
launchMarch3, 1972. Pioneer---10 is the first knownman---madeobject
to leave the solar systemwhen it passed Plutos orbit in 1983. In March
2002, after 30 years in orbit, the spacecraft was able to receive and re-
transmit a signal fromNASA --- at a distance of more than12 billionkm
(22 hours roundtrip time) from Earth.
PIPOR Program for International Polar Ocean Research . . . . . . . . .
PIXEL Picture Element . . . . . . . . .
PLB Personal Locator Beacon (COSPAS and S&RSAT). PLBis a satellite--- . . . . . . . . . . .
aided search and rescue systemthat aims toreduce the time requiredto
alert rescue authorities whenever a distress situation occurs. In the US,
the FCC is permitting a PLB service as of July 1, 2003. The first ever
rescue of a person using PLB in the USA took place on Nov. 14, 2003.
3562
PLC Programmable Logic Controller . . . . . . . . . . .
PLL Phase Locked Loop (communication technique to enable integration . . . . . . . . . . .
of voice and data)
PLO Phase Locked Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . .
PM Phase Modulation (modulation technique of the main carrier) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PM Polymer Morphology (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PM Post Meridiem (refers to the afternoon time designations in the US; a . . . . . . . . . . . .
time of 5 PM is equivalent of 17:00 hours in international notation)
PMA Pressurized Mating Adapter (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
PMAP Paleoenvironment Multiproxy Analysis and Mapping Project (see . . . . . . . . .
PANASH campaign)
PMDG Programmable MicroDiffractionGrating (PMDGs are attractive com- . . . . . . . . .
ponents for spatial light modulation in the infrared domain)
PMG Plasma Motor Generator (Q.45.5) . . . . . . . . . .
PMOD/WRC Physikalisch---Meteorologisches Observatorium Davos, World Radi- . . .
ation Center (Switzerland)
PMS Particle Measuring Systems Inc. (of Boulder CO) . . . . . . . . . . .
PMST Small (Piccole) Missions for Science and Technology. PMSTis a pro- . . . . . . . . . .
gram of ASI (Italian Space Agency) with such missions as AGILE[As-
trorivelatore Gamma a Immagini Leggero, or (Extreme Light Imager
for Gamma Astronomy)] andDAVID(Data andVideoInteractiveDis-
tribution)
PMT Photomultiplier Tube (detector) . . . . . . . . . . .
PMV&D (Plume Model Validation and Development (campaign) . . . . . . .
PN Pseudo Noise (code) . . . . . . . . . . . .
pn---CCD pn---junction CCD (Charge Coupled Device) detector. A pn---CCD . . . . . . .
combines high quantum efficiency, high---speed readout and excellent
energy resolution.
pn---junction Apnjunctionis a junctionformedby joining p---typeandn---typesemi- . . . .
conductors together in very close contact.
PNEDC Programme National dEtude de la Dynamique du Climat (France) . . . . . . . .
PNNL Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (Richland, WA, USA) of DOE, . . . . . . . . .
operated by Battelle Memorial Institute
PnP Plug---n---Play. PnP refers to hardware and software devices in a com- . . . . . . . . . . . .
puter (PC) that, after being installed (plugged in), can immediately
be used (played with) without requiring a system reconfiguration or
manual installation of device drivers by the user.
PNR Pseudo Noise Number (a GPS series designation) . . . . . . . . . . .
PNRA Italian National Programme for Antarctic Research . . . . . . . . .
PNT Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (spaceborne service as provided . . . . . . . . . . .
by GNSS)
PRN Pseudo Random Noise . . . . . . . . . . .
POCC Payload Operations and Control Center . . . . . . . . .
P---POD Poly---Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (the standardized deployer sys- . . . . . . . .
tem of CalPoly)
POD Precise Orbit Determination . . . . . . . . . . .
POEM---1 Polar---Orbit Earth---Observation Mission (planned ESASeries) D.13 . . . . . .
POES Polar---orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (NOAA series . . . . . . . . . .
of operational polar orbiting satellites), G.13
POGO Polar---Orbiting Geophysical Observatory . . . . . . . . .
POL Prowdman Oceanographic Laboratories (UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
POLAR NASA/GSFC Solar---Terrestrial Mission (K.22) . . . . . . . .
POLARIS Photochemistry of Ozone Loss in the Arctic Region in Summer (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
POLINAT PollutionfromAircraft Emissions inthe NorthAtlantic Flight Corridor . . . . . .
(campaign)
POLinSAR SAR Polarimetry and Polarimetric Interferometry . . . . .
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PO/KB Polyot Launch vehicle and satellite manufacturer in Omsk, Russia. PO =Pro- . . .
duction Association. In its post---war history, Polyot manufactured a to-
tal of about 1500 missiles, more than 750 space launchers (Kosmos---3
and Kosmos---3M) and more than 200 satellites.
PoSAT Portuguese Satellite (D.62.9) . . . . . . . . .
POSIX Portable Operating System Interface for UniX (an IEEE standard for . . . . . . . . .
Unix operating systems). IEEE1003.1 (1990) and IEEE1003.2 (1992)
PPARC Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council, UK . . . . . . . . .
PPARC KITE Club KITE (Knowledge Innovation, Technology, Enterprise). The
PPARC KITE Club is an established UK business network which in-
cludes defense, security, aerospace, and space sector activities. On
April 1, 2007, PPARC and CCLRC merged to formthe STFC(Science
and Technology Facilities Council). STFC is an independent, non---de-
partmental public body of the Department for Innovation, Universities
and Skills (DIUS).
PPC Power Personal Computer (based on the MPC601---Chip) . . . . . . . . . . .
PPD Polymer Photo Detector . . . . . . . . . . .
PPE Phase Positioning Experiments (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
PPF Polar Platform (ESA Columbus program, PPF is utilized for POEM . . . . . . . . . . .
payloads)
PPM Pulse Position Modulation (PPM is a form of block encoding modula- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion technique inwhich bits are transmittedin blocks instead of one at a
time)
PPP Precise Point Positioning (navigation solution) . . . . . . . . . . .
PPP Public Private Partnership (an arrangement between various partners . . . . . . . . . . .
in a program to share the costs)
PPS Precise Positioning Service (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PPT Pulsed Plasma Thruster . . . . . . . . . . .
PRARE Precision Rate and Range---Rate Equipment, H.8.2 . . . . . . . .
PRESENSE Pipeline Remote Sensing for Safety and the Environment [a European . . . .
initiative (17 partner consortium, started in Dec. 2001) co---funded by
the European Commission. The aim of PRESENSE is to develop and
integrate the elements of a pipeline management system for European
gas/oil pipelineoperators toimprove safety, reduce survey costs andim-
prove transmission efficiency using remote monitoring techniques.]
PRF Pulse Repetition Frequency . . . . . . . . . . .
PRI Photochemical Reflectance Index . . . . . . . . . . . .
PRI Pulse Repetition Interval (1/PRF) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PRIMA Piattaforma Riconfigurabile Italiana Multi ---Applicativa (Reconfigur- . . . . . . . .
able Italian Platformfor Multiple Applications), ASI platformfor a to-
tal S/C mass of 300---1000 kg
PrioraNet PrioraNet is a commercial ground services antenna network of SSC . . . . . . .
(Swedish Space Corporation), incorporating ground stations in Aus-
tralia, Chile, Canada, Hawaii and Alaska. The main services provided
by PrioraNet are S---band and X---band communications.
PRIRODA Research module of the Space Station MIR (D.41) . . . . .
PRN Pseudo Random Noise . . . . . . . . . . .
PRNU Photo Response Non---Uniformity (PRNU is one source of pattern . . . . . . . . .
noise in digital cameras)
PROBE Prototype Radiation Observation Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
PRODEX PROgramme de Dveloppement dExpriences scientifiques (an ESA . . . . . .
program created in 1986). The PRODEX program office fullfils the
role of coordinating experiment development and awarding industrial
contracts.
ProSEDS Propulsive Small Expandable Deployer System (tether experiment) . . . . . . .
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PROTEUS Platforme Reconfigurable pour lObservation, les Telecommunica- . . . . .
tions et les Usages Scientifiques (French minisatellite bus for a S/C
mass less than 500 kg)
PROTEUS Profile Telemetry of Upper Ocean Currents [a NOAA/PMEL mooring . . . . .
system, a taut---wire surface mooring with a toroidal float similar toAT-
LAS]
PSI Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland (database of space envi- . . . . . . . . . . . .
ronmental data)
PSC Polar Stratospheric Clouds . . . . . . . . . . .
PSE Physiological Systems Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
PSE Polar Sunrise Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
PSF Point Spread Function (used in image processing --- refers to the non--- . . . . . . . . . . .
perfect optics of a systemso the relative intensity of the point of light is
distributed). The PSFfunction is used to assess the spatial resolution of
animaging system. PSFdescribes the distributionof light intensity inan
image of a point and sets an upper limit to a number of possible image
points per unit area.
PSI Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (a new way of processing SAR im- . . . . . . . . . . . .
agery that allowground movements over wide areas to be detected and
monitored with even greater sensitivity)
PSK Phase Shift Keying (a modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
PSLR Peak Side Lobe Ratio . . . . . . . . . .
PSLV Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (ISRO launch vehicle) . . . . . . . . . .
PSN Piano Spaziale Nationale (previous name of Italys Space agency , now . . . . . . . . . . .
ASI)
PSRC Polish Space Research Center, Warsaw, Poland . . . . . . . . . .
PSTG Polar Space Task Group (WMO) . . . . . . . . . .
PtSi Platinum---silicide (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PTB Physikalisch---Technische Bundesanstalt (Braunschweig, Germany, . . . . . . . . . . .
since 1887). PTB is the German national metrology institute (time-
keeper) providing scientific and technical services.
PTT Platform Transmitter Terminal (data collection platform for ARGOS . . . . . . . . . . .
system on a remote terminal in the ground segment)
PTT Public (Postal) Telephone and Telegraph (utility company). Refers to . . . . . . . . . . .
operating agencies directly or indirectly controlled by governments in
charge of telecommunication services in most countries of the world.
PTTI Precise Time and Time Interval (US strategic systems and applications . . . . . . . . . .
meeting series in precise time)
Pumpkin Inc. San Francisco, CA, provider of commercial CubeSat Kit---based bus . . . .
(since 2003) and MISC (Miniature Imaging Spacecraft) Kit, a 3U Cu-
beSat structure (since 2008) and 3U CubeSat Kit Hinge (deployable
panels)
PUS Packet UtilizationStandard(of ECSS). PUShas beenusedby anumber . . . . . . . . . . .
of ESA and non---ESA missions (XMM, MSG, Integral, GOMOS in-
strument of Envisat, ATV, rsted, PROBA, Rosetta, MARS Express,
Herschel/Planck, CryoSat---2, GOCE, Galileo) incombinationwiththe
CCSDS protocol.
PV Photovoltaic (detector) . . . . . . . . . . . .
PVT Position, Velocity, Time . . . . . . . . . . .
PVTOS Physical Vapor Transport of Organic Solids (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . .
PWV Precipitable Water Vapor (atmosphere) . . . . . . . . . .
PYREX Pyrenean Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
PZT Lead (Pb) Zirconate Titanate --- a ceramic material that shows a . . . . . . . . . . .
marked piezoelectric effect. PZT---based compounds are composed of
the chemical elements lead and zirconiumand the chemical compound
titanate whichare combinedunder extremely hightemperatures. Being
3565
piezoelectric, it develops a voltage (or potential difference) across two
of its faces when compressed (useful for sensor applications).
Q
QA4EO Quality Assurance Framework for Earth Observation data --- QA4EO . . . . . . . .
has beenendorsedby CEOSas a contributionto facilitate the GEOvis-
ion for a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).
6196)
QAM Quadrature Amplitude Modulation. QAM is a modulation scheme . . . . . . . . . .
which conveys two digital bit streams or two analog message signals.
Two orthogonal sinusoidal carriers are used to transmit data over a giv-
en physical channel. One signal is called the I signal, and the other is
called the Q signal.
QCL Quantum Cascade Laser . . . . . . . . . . .
QD Quantum Dot . . . . . . . . . . . .
QDIP Quantum---Dot Infrared Photodetector . . . . . . . . . .
QFH Quadrifilar Helix (antenna) . . . . . . . . . .
QGG Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (based on atom interferometer) . . . . . . . . . .
QinetiQ New name of DERA (Defence Evaluation and Research Agency), . . . . . . . .
Farnborough, UK, pronounced as kin---et---tik (as of July 2, 2001).
QinetiQ is organized as a PPP (Public Private Partnership) establish-
ment providing more managerial freedom. --- QinetiQ comprises the
greater part of former DERA, anagency of the UKMinistry of Defence
(MoD), incorporating the bulk of the MoDs non---nuclear research,
technology andtest andevaluationestablishments. OnJuly 2, 2001, for-
mer DERA split into two organisations, DSTL (Defence Science and
Technology Laboratory) and QinetiQ plc. DSTL remains part of the
MoD and continues to handle the most sensitive areas of research. Qi-
netiQ is a wholly government---owned UK Plc, and competes on the
world stage to deliver innovations to customers and their communities.
In Sept. 2005, QinetiQ bought the Verhaert Design and Development
N. V. (company) of Kruibeke, Belgium.
QKD Quantum Key Distribution [a means for two (or more) parties to ex- . . . . . . . . . .
change with unconditional security an enciphering key over a quantum
channel, since its privacy against an eavesdropper can always be detec-
ted]. QKDguarantees the distributionof randomsequences of bits with
a level of confidentiality that cannot be achievedby any classical means.
QMW Queen Mary and Westfield College (London, UK) . . . . . . . . . .
QoS Quality of Service . . . . . . . . . . .
QPN Quadra Pseudo Noise (modulation technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
QPSK Quadra---Phase Shift Keying (4---PSK is a modulation technique and a . . . . . . . . . .
data transmission standard). Soon 8---PSK and higher modulations for
such applications as DBS (Digital Broadcast System) will be used.
QSO Quasi ---Stellar Object (a QSO emits great amounts of radio energy) . . . . . . . . . . .
QSS Quadrant Sun Sensor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Qubit A quantum bit of information (the qubit is a bit of information . . . . . . . . . .
stamped inaquantumphysical property, for instance thepolarization
of a photon). Aqubit has some similarities to a classical bit, but is over-
all very different. Like a bit, a qubit can have only twopossible values ---
normally a 0 or a 1. The difference is that whereas a bit must be either 0
or 1, a qubit can be 0, 1, or a superposition of both. That information is
described by a state vector in a two---level quantum mechanical system
which is formally equivalent to a two---dimensional vector space over
the complex numbers.
QuickBird Commercial imaging satellite (B.6) . . . . . .
QUT Queensland University of Technology, Australia . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6196) Pascal Lecomte, Greg Stensaas, Overviewof progress towards a data quality assurance strategy to facilitate inter-
operability, June 3, 2009, URL: http://qa4eo.org/docs/GSICS_QA4EO.pdf
3566
QWIP QuantumWell InfraredPhotodetector (anIRsensor technology for ap- . . . . . . . . .
plications in the range from 6 --- 25 mm)
QWIPM Quantum Well Infrared Photon Multiplier . . . . . . . .
QZSS Quasi ---Zenith Satellite System (NICT, JAXA, Japan), a GPS aug- . . . . . . . . . .
mentation system of Japan consisting of a 3 spacecraft constellation
planned to provide a regional satellite positioning service as well as
communication and broadcasting services. The S/Corbits are elliptical
geosynchronous in 3 planes (120 apart).
R
R Resolving power (used in astronomical applications). R= /, where . . . . . . . . . . . . .
is the smallest difference inwavelengths that canbe distinguished, at
a wavelength of .
RAAN Right Ascension of the Ascending Node (orbit parameter, the angle . . . . . . . . .
measured at the center of the Earth, from the vernal equinox to the as-
cending node.
RADAR Radio Detection and Ranging . . . . . . .
RADARSAT A Canadian (CSA/CCRS) EO mission with a SAR instrument (D.42) . . . .
RADCAL Radar Calibration Satellite (Amicrosatellite of USAF, launch June 25, . . . . . .
1993 fromVAFB. It provides space---based radar cross---sectional area
calibration for more than 70 radars operating in the C---band, and car-
ries two GPS receivers with the aimto demonstrate GPS basedattitude
determination.)
RADFET Radiation---sensitive Field Effect Transistor . . . . . .
RAE Royal Aerospace Establishment [Farnborough, UK, (inthe early 1990s . . . . . . . . . . .
RAE was renamed into DRA --- Defense Research Establishment)]
RAIM Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (a GPS and GLONASS . . . . . . . . .
technology --- RAIM requires a minimum of five visible satellites for
fault detection and six satellites for fault detection and exclusion)
RAL Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (Chilton, Oxon, UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
RAM Random Access Memory . . . . . . . . . .
RAN (RAS) Russian Academy of Sciences . . . .
RARS Regional ATOVS Retransmission Service . . . . . . . . .
RPA Retarding Potential Analyzer (a technique used for the monitoring of . . . . . . . . . . .
the space environment)
RASCAL Responsive Access Small Cargo Affordable Launch [DARPAprogram . . . . . . .
(started in 2002) to place payloads into orbit at reduced costs]
RASS Radio---Acoustic Sounding System (a ground---based system of wind . . . . . . . . . .
and temperature vertical profiles is used in meteorology and atmo-
spheric research).
RBDS Radio Broadcast Data System . . . . . . . . .
RBSP Radiation Belt Storm Probes (NASA Geospace mission) . . . . . . . . . .
RCVR Receiver . . . . . . . . .
RCS Radar Cross Section (a measure of how detectable an object is with a . . . . . . . . . . .
radar; a larger RCS indicates that an object is more easily detected)
RCS ReactionControl System(usually a S/Conboardsystemfor the purpose . . . . . . . . . . .
to provide such functions as orbit maintenance or orbit raising and/or
attitude control, it may also be used for reaction wheel unloading)
RCSGSO Reducing the Costs of Spacecraft Ground Systems and Operations (a . . . . . . .
series of international symposia)
R&D Research & Development . . . . . . . . . .
RDL Research & Development Laboratories, Culver City, CA (since 1984) . . . . . . . . . . .
REALS REmote ALert System (REALS provides Alert Services and remote . . . . . . . .
3567
Telemetry Access Services)
6197)
REBAL Radiation and Energy Balance for Imagery and Electromagnetic Prop- . . . . . . . .
agation (campaign)
REFLEX Radiation and Eddy Flux Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
REFLEX Return Flux Experiment (Shuttle SPARTAN payload) . . . . . . .
REL Reaction Engines Ltd., a British aerospace company based in Oxford- . . . . . . . . . . .
shire, England. Developers of the Sabre rocket engine.
6198)
REM Release/Engage Mechanism (Shuttle, used for Spartan flights) . . . . . . . . . .
REMSAT Real ---time Emergency Management via Satellite (ESA project --- an . . . . . . .
integrated system for communications and localization services in
emergency situations e.g. in forest fire fighting, earthquakes etc. )
REMSAT provides mobile high speed satellite links.
RENE Rehearsal ERS---1 Validation Northern Europe (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
RESTEC Remote Sensing Technology Center, Tokyo, Japan (since 1975) . . . . . . .
Resource21 Commercial imaging satellite venture (under development by Re- . . . . .
sourse21 LLC, Englewood, CO, since 1995). Boeing S&C (Space and
Communications) is a major owner of Resource21, with members BAE
Systems, FarmlandIndustries Inc., andthe Institute for Technology De-
velopment (ITD).
RESSOX Remote SynchronizationSystemof OnboardCrystal Oscillator (Japan) . . . . . . .
Resurs Russian satellite series for resource monitoring, D.44, D.45 . . . . . . . . .
Resurs---DK1 Resurs (HighResolution1), inRussianDKstands for DetailedSpace . . .
RF (R/F) Radio Frequency (of active sensors, also data transmission link, etc.) . . . . . . .
RFC Regenerative Fuel Cell . . . . . . . . . . .
RFI Radio Frequency Interference. RFI is an increasingly serious problem . . . . . . . . . . .
for both, passive and active microwave sensing of the Earth.
RFID Radio Frequency Identification (a technology that incorporates the use . . . . . . . . . .
of electromagnetic or electrostatic coupling in the RF portion of the
electromagnetic spectrum to uniquely identify an object, animal, or
person). RFID is coming into increasing use in industry as an alterna-
tive to the bar code. The advantage of RFID is that it does not require
direct contact or line---of---sight scanning.
RF---SET Radio Frequency --- Single---Electron Transistor . . . . . . .
RGB Red, Green, Blue (color code of a pixel) . . . . . . . . . .
RGGB Red, Green, Green, Blue (Each of the letters represents one pixel, and . . . . . . . . .
the letter indicates the color of the filter whichis usedfor the associated
pixel. Hence, RGGB represents a group of 4 pixels.
RHCP Right Hand Circular Polarization . . . . . . . . .
RICE Regional Interactions of Climate and Ecosystems (IGBP/IGAC pro- . . . . . . . . . .
gram)
RIMS Ranging and Integrity Monitoring Station (EGNOS system) . . . . . . . . . .
RIN Royal Institute of Navigation (UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
RINEX Receiver Independent Exchange format (of GNSS receivers --- permits . . . . . . . .
the user to post---process the received data to produce a more accurate
solution)
RIRT (RIRV) Russian Institute of Radionavigation and Time, St. Petersburg, since . . .
1957. Prior to 1993, the institute was called: Leningrad Scientific and
Research Radiotechnical Institute (LSRRT); participation in pro-
grams: Tsikada, Glonass, Cospas---S&RSAT
RIS Resonance Ionization Spectroscopy (a laser technique) . . . . . . . . . . . .
RISAT Radar Imaging Satellite (of ISRO, India) . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6197) R. Messaros, R. Bolek, E. Gomez, R. Santos, OnExploitationof Smartphone Technology for SatelliteOperations,
Providing Ubiquitous Operations, Proceedings of SpaceOps 2012, The 12th International Conference on Space
Operations, Stockholm, Sweden, June 11--- 15, 2012, URL: http://www.spaceops2012.org/proceedings/documents/
id1294382--- Paper--- 014.pdf
6198) The Biggest Breakthrough In Propulsion Since The Jet Engine, Space Travel, Nov.. 30, 2012, URL: ht-
tp://www.space--- travel.com/reports/The_Biggest_Breakthrough_In_Propulsion_Since_The_Jet_En-
gine_999.html
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RISDE Russian Institute of Space Device Engineering . . . . . . . . .
RIT---10 Radio---frequency Ion Thruster (electric propulsion system of DASA) . . . . . . . .
RIT Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden . . . . . . . . . . .
RITS Radiatively Important Trace Species (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
RKA (RSA) Russian Space Agency, Moscow, since Feb. 25, 1992 (by decree issued . . . .
by the President of the Russian Federation). RKAhas centralized con-
trol of Russias civilian space program, including all manned and un-
mannednonmilitary spaceflights. --- OnOct. 25, 1999, RKAchangedits
name officially to Rosaviakosmos (Russian Aviation and Space
Agency). In June 2004, the name Rosaviakosmos was changed to Ros-
kosmos (or Roscosmos) by the Russian Government. --- --- The prime
contractor used by Roskosmos is RKK Energia, which owns and oper-
ates the Mission Control Center in Kaliningrad and operates the Mir
space station.
RRAM Resistive Random Access Memory . . . . . . . . .
RSC Energia Rocket Space Corporation, S.P. Korolev, Moscow region (since 1946); . . . .
responsibility for all Russian manned space projects; builders of launch
vehicles (Proton) andof S/C(i.e. MIRspacestation), payloads, sensors,
etc.
RLG Ring Laser Gyroscope (an angular rate gyro) . . . . . . . . . . .
RLSBO Radiolokazionnaja Sistema Bokowo Obzora (side view radar system) . . . . . . . .
RME Radiation Monitoring Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
RMIB Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium . . . . . . . . .
RMS Remote Manipulator System (robot arm of Shuttle, provided/built by . . . . . . . . . . .
Canada). RMS is a 15.2 m long articulating arm that is remotely con-
trolled from the flight deck of the orbiter. The elbow and wrist move-
ments of the RMSpermit payloads tobegrappledfor deployment out of
the payload bay attach points or to be retrieved and secured for return
to Earth.
rms root mean square (also known as the quadratic mean) . . . . . . . . . . . .
RMS Royal Meteorological Service (UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
RMSE Root Mean Square Error . . . . . . . . .
RNAV Area Navigation. RNAV is a method of aircraft navigation which per- . . . . . . . . .
mits aircraft operations on any desired flight path (user preferred
routes) within the coverage of station referenced navigation aids or the
limits of the capability of self---contained aids, or any combination
thereof.
RNII KP (ISDE) Russian Institute of Space Device Engineering, Moscow; a leading
company in the design and development of sensors; participation in
programs: Venera, Vega, Phobos, Luna, Mars, Prognoz, Granat, Re-
surs, Okean, Glonass, etc.
RNSS Radionavigation Satellite System (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, . . . . . . . . . .
QZSS, etc.)
RNSS Radionavigation Satellite Service (ITU) . . . . . . . . . .
ROCSat Republic of China Satellite (Taiwan). --- Note: A public naming com- . . . . . . . .
petition regarding ROCSat took place in Taiwan in late 2004. In this
contest, the ROCSat program was given the new nickname of Formo-
Sat. Hence; ROCSat---1 became FormoSat---1, ROCSat---2 became
FormoSat---2, and ROCSat---3 became FormoSat---3. However, ROC-
Sat is going to remain the project name.
ROIC Readout Integrated Circuit (silicon device for readout of infrared de- . . . . . . . . . .
tector photodiodes)
ROM Read Only Memory . . . . . . . . . .
ROMPS Robot Operated Materials Processing System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
ROSA Romanian Space Agency --- Agentia Spatiala Romana (since 1991, . . . . . . . . .
Bukarest, Romania). On December 22, 2011, Romania officially be-
came ESAs 19th Member State.
3569
Rosaviakosmos Russian Aviation and Space Agency (RASA), Moscow. The name of . .
Rosaviakosmos was adopted by decree (No 1186) on Oct. 25, 1999. The
previous name was RKA (Russian Space Agency) which in turn was
created Feb. 25, 1992.
Roskosmos Federal Space Agency of Russia, Moscow. The new name of Roskos- . . . . .
mos was determined by the government decision N 314 (Russia) as of
26.06.2004 (superseding the previous name Rosaviakosmos)
ROSHYDROMET Committee for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring
(Russian Government Agency, similar in functions and services to EU-
METSAT and NOAA)
ROTEX Robotic Technology Experiment (Shuttle/Spacelab---2 experiment of . . . . . . . .
ESA/DLR on STS---55, 1993)
Royal Society London, UK. Founded in 1660 by a group of learned men who met to . . .
promote scientific discussion. The Royal Society is the oldest scientific
organization in Great Britain and one of the oldest in Europe.
RPOD Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Docking (mission capability) . . . . . . . . .
RRA RetroReflector Array (an onboard device used for satellite laser track- . . . . . . . . . . .
ing)
RRM Robotic Refueling Mission. A NASA technology experiment conduc- . . . . . . . . . .
ted at the ISS in March 2012 using Dextre of CSA (Canadian Space
Agency). The objective was to demonstrate satellite servicing tasks.
RPI Repeat Pass Interferometry . . . . . . . . . . . .
RPS Radioisotope Power System(RPS uses the heat generated fromthe de- . . . . . . . . . . .
cay of radioisotope material and converts the heat into useful electrical
power)
RS Reed Solomon (encoding technique). RSwas initially proposed in1960 . . . . . . . . . . . .
by Irving S. Reed and Gustave Solomon of MIT/LL. It happens to be
one of the most effective error---correctionschemes in the history of da-
ta handling --- for everything from computer hard disk drives to CD
players to data transmission to and from distant spacecraft.
RSC Rocket System Corporation, Tokyo, Japan (RSC markets launch ser- . . . . . . . . . . .
vices on Japans H---2A vehicle)
RSCC Russian Satellite Communication Company (Moscow) . . . . . . . . . .
RSI Radarsat International Ltd. (Richmond, BC, Canada, established in . . . . . . . . . . . .
1989 by a consortiumof Canadian aerospace companies and Lockheed
Martin of USA, RSI is the distributor of Radarsat data)
RSIF Rain---Sea Interaction Facility (at NASA/GSFC/WFF, established in . . . . . . . . . .
1993; RSIF provides a controlled environment for studies of a) micro-
wave scattering from rain---generated features, and b) physical pro-
cesses at the air---water interface and in the adjacent boundary layers)
RSNAS Regional Satellite Navigation Augmentation System (a concept of . . . . . . . .
NSPO, Taiwan, tofurther enhance the existing navigation andposition-
ing capabilities)
RSNIC Reprogrammable Space Network Interface Card (payload concept) . . . . . . . . .
RSO Resident Space Object. RSOs include active and inactive satellites, . . . . . . . . . . .
spent rocket bodies, and other pieces of orbital debris created by dec-
ades of human activity in space.
RSRE Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (Great Malvern, Worcester- . . . . . . . . .
shire, UK)
RST Radar Systemtechnik AG, Sankt Gallen, Switzerland . . . . . . . . . . .
RTCA Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (Washington, DC) . . . . . . . . .
RTCM SC---104 Radio Technical Commission for Maritime Services [the RTCM Spe- .
cial Committee 104 established the worldwide standard for meter---
level differential GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) broad-
casts]
RTEMS Real ---Time Executive for Multiprocessor Systems [a free open source . . . . . . . .
real ---time operating system(RTOS) designed for embedded systems].
3570
RTG Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (a nuclear propulsion system . . . . . . . . . . .
first flown on Transit---4A, also on Ulysses K.32). Deep space missions
in particular depend on RTG propulsion (the use of solar arrays is in-
feasible due to the significant distance from the sun)
RTG Real ---Time GIPSY (a GDGPS software package) . . . . . . . . . . .
RTI Remote Terminal Interface . . . . . . . . . . . .
RTK Real ---Time Kinematic (a DGPS technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
RTM Radiative Transfer Model . . . . . . . . . .
RTU Remote Terminal Unit . . . . . . . . . . .
RTSX Ranger Telerobotic Shuttle Experiment . . . . . . . . . .
RUM Rotating Unbalanced Mass (a US patent for scanning) . . . . . . . . .
R/V (or RV) Research Vessel . . . .
RVSN Russian Strategic Missile Force (agency responsible for launching most . . . . . . . . . .
of Russias military satellites)
RWS Rijkswaterstaat (Rijswijk, Netherlands) . . . . . . . . . . .
Rx/Tx Receiver/Transmitter . . . . . . . . . .
S
S/A Signal to Ambiguity ratio . . . . . . . . . . . .
SA Selective Availability (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SAA South Atlantic Anomaly, Note: SAA is a major deviation from (even . . . . . . . . . . .
roughly) dipole geometry in the Earths magnetic field which causes
asymmetrical strong enhancement in particle trapping. The localized
dip of the Earths trapped ion belts into LEO altitude can impact func-
tionality of LEO spacecraft electronic components during traversals.
SAAMD/WBSAAMD StandAlone AccelerationMeasurement Device/Wide BandStand
Alone Acceleration Measurement Device (Shuttle payload)
SAAMEX Surface & Atmospheric Airborne Microwave Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
SABLE South Atlantic Backscatter Lidar Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SAC/CSIR Satellite Application Center [of CSIR (Council for Scientific and In- . . . . . .
dustrial Research), South Africa]. The SAC ground receiving station
(Landsat, Spot, NOAA/POES series, ERS series, Radarsat, etc.) is lo-
cated at Hartebeesthoek south---west of Pretoria, South Africa. Initial
SAC tracking services started in 1961.
SAC---C Satlite de Aplicaciones Cientficas---C (Scientific Application Satel- . . . . . . . .
lite---C), a mission of CONAE, Argentina (with partners)
SADA Solar Array Drive Assembly (NASA) . . . . . . . . .
SADM Solar Array Drive Mechanism . . . . . . . . .
SAF Satellite Applications Facility . . . . . . . . . . .
SAFARI Southern African Fire---Atmosphere Research Initiative (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SAFER Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue (Shuttle system) . . . . . . . .
SAFIR Satellite for Information Relay, C.6 . . . . . . . . .
SAFISY Space Agency Forum for the International Space Year in Europe (in . . . . . . . .
1992)
SAFOD San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (within the framework of the . . . . . . . .
US EarthScope program)
SAGA Soviet---American Gases and Aerosols Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
SAGE Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (NASA mission, G.8) . . . . . . . . .
SAI Space Applications Institute (of JRC, Ispra, Italy) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SAIC Science Applications International Corporation (HQs in San Diego, . . . . . . . . . .
CA, since 1969, with over 35,000 employees worldwide)
SAIR Synthetic Aperture Interferometric Radiometer . . . . . . . . . .
SAL Synthetic Aperture Ladar (Ladar=Laser Detectionand Ranging). The . . . . . . . . . . .
SAL technique uses infrared light for SAR measurements (which is
10
3
to 10
4
times shorter in the RF wavelength than current SAR wave-
lengths in the microwave region). It means that phase coherence is
3571
muchharder to maintain. The SALimaging technique offers the poten-
tial of much higher resolutions than SAR.
SALRO Saudi Arabian Laser Ranging Observatory, located some 45 kmnorth- . . . . . . . .
west of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (tracking of SLR systems)
SALSA Semi ---Arid Land---Surface---Atmospheric Program (campaign). The . . . . . . . . .
SALSAprogramis a multi ---agency, multi ---national global ---changere-
search effort that seeks toevaluate the consequences of natural andhu-
man---induced changes in semi ---arid environments.
SALT Savannas on the Long Term (IGBP program of France) . . . . . . . . . .
SALT Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (cold war agreement) . . . . . . . . . .
SAM Shuttle Activation Monitor (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . . .
SAMIR Satellite Microwave Radiometer (ISRO sensor on Bhaskara S/C) . . . . . . . .
SAMPEX Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Explorer (GSFC mission, . . . . . .
K.25.1)
SAMS Space Acceleration Measurement System (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
SAMSO Space and Missile System Organization (USAF in El Segundo, CA) . . . . . . . .
SAN MARCO Cooperative Italian/NASA mission (A.28) . . .
SANSA South African National Space Agency (since Dec. 9, 2010)
6199) 6200)
. . . . . . . .
SansEC sans (without) Electrical Connections ---SansEC (developed at . . . . . . . .
NASA) is a wireless sensor measurement system that receives power
wirelessly, eliminating the needfor a power source. The technology can
be usedfor fuel andother liquidmeasurements invehicles, above or be-
lowground fuel storage tanks as well as cryogenic fluid tanks. The tech-
nology has the ability to measure many physical quantities using only a
single component, including, but not limited to, fluid level, temperat-
ure, pressure, strain, structural damage, and rotational velocity.
SansECsensors use self---resonating patterns of electrically conductive
material. Magnetic fields areusedtopower andinterrogate thesensors.
Arrays of the SansEC sensors can be made from thin conductive films
placed on non---conductive surfaces and can be used as sensing skins.
6201)
SAO Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Cambridge, MA, USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
SAPOS Satellite Positioning Service [a ground---based DGPS network (over . . . . . . . . .
200 sites of DGPS reference stations in Germany) of the German Na-
tional Survey]. SAPOS is coordinated by BKG (Bundesamt fr Karto-
graphie und Geodsie = Federal Agency for Cartography and Geode-
sy) of Frankfurt, Main.
SAR Synthetic Aperture Radar (a high---rate imaging technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
SAREX---2 Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . .
SAREX---92 South American Radar Experiment (ESA airborne campaign) . . . .
SAR---Lupe Germanys first military radar (SAR) reconnaissance minisatellite mis- . . . . .
sion (indevelopment at OHBSystem, Bremen), contract award inAug.
2001 by the German Office of Defense Technology and Procurement
(BWB). The project consists of a constellation of 4 satellites in two po-
lar orbital planes. RF data transmission in Ku---band. The overall ob-
jective is to provide high---resolution X---band radar imagery (0.5 m) to
German defense forces over a period of ten years starting in 2004; the
full satellite constellation is planned to be in orbit in 2006.
SAR/MTI Synthetic Aperture Radar / Moving Target Indication ( a motion sens- . . . . . .
ing concept)
S&R Search and Rescue (Emergency System on NOAA S/C) . . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6199) Launch of the National Space Strategy and the SA National Space Agency, Nov. 29, 2010, URL: ht-
tp://www.info.gov.za/speech/DynamicAction?pageid=461&sid=14919&tid=25109
6200) South Africa Launches Space Agency, Space Mart, Dec. 13, 2010, URL: http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/
South_Africa_Launches_Space_Agency_999.html
6201) Stanley E. Woodard, SansECSensing Technology --- ANewTool for Designing Space Systems andComponents,
2011 IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, MT, USA, March 5--- 12, 2011
3572
S&RSAT Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (Canada/France/ . . . . . . .
NOAA). I.11
SAS---1 Small Astronomy Satellite---1 (DoD S/C, launched Dec. 12, 1970) . . . . . . . . .
SAS Synthetic Aperture Sonar . . . . . . . . . . .
SASA SouthAfricanSpace Agency (approvedinAug. 2006by thegovernment . . . . . . . . . .
of South Africa)
SASNet SDR---based Ad hoc Space Network . . . . . . . .
SAS&R Satellite Aided Search & Rescue (INSAT---2 system) . . . . . . . .
SASS Subsonic Assessment (program, NASA) . . . . . . . . . .
SAST Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (Shanghai, China, . . . . . . . . . .
launch vehicle provider)
S@tMax S@tMax (an emerging service as of 2006 developed at TU Delft, The . . . . . . . .
Netherlands) defines telematics as mobile wireless information ser-
vices that connect users in mobile vehicles on roads to data, voice, en-
tertainment, internet access, navigation and safety services. S@tMax
provides IP services to users using a ground infrastructure and satel-
lites.
SAT---IP A communications protocol introduced by SES in 2012. SAT---IP is a . . . . . . . .
newsatellitereceptiontechnology that demodulates andconverts satel-
lite signals to IP for further in---home distribution to any IP---enabled
device.
6202)
SaTReC Satellite Technology ResearchCenter (Daejeon, Korea, since 1992, Sa- . . . . . . . .
TReC is a university based research center of KAIST) SaTReC per-
forms KITSAT operations, etc.
Satrec Initiative Satrec Initiative (SI Co. Ltd. ) was established in January, 2000 by for- .
mer SaTReC engineers, Daejeon, Korea. SI is the developer of small
satellites like: RazakSat, DubaiSat---1, DubaiSat---2, X---SAT, RASAT,
etc. SI is the developer of various optical imaging instruments. SI was
appointed as the exclusive global data distributor of KOMPSAT im-
agery (KOMPSAT---2, KOMPSAT---3, and KOMPSAT---5).
6203)
SATO Space Adaptation Tests and Observations (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
SAXON---FPN Synthetic Aperture Radar and X---band Ocean Nonlinearities --- For- . .
schungsplatform Nordsee (campaign)
Sb Antimonide (detector type material) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SBAS Satellite Based Augmentation System (element of GNSS) . . . . . . . . . .
SBIR Small Business Innovation Research (a NASA---sponsored program) . . . . . . . . . .
SBIRS Space Based Infrared System (a US DoD 10---year development pro- . . . . . . . . .
gramthat was approvedinOct. 1996 toinclude HEO/GEO(referredto
as SBIRS High)and LEO (referred to as SBIRS Low) satellite constel-
lations along with a corresponding ground segment. The planned space
segment will consist of 4 GEO, 2 HEO and ~24 LEO satellites. The
SBIRS mission is to develop, deploy, and to operate space---based sur-
veillance systems for missile warning, missiledefense, battlespacechar-
acterization, and technical intelligence). The SBIRS program office is
at SMC, Los Angeles AFB, CA. Note: the above original version was
cancelled by the Pentagon in 1999 due to cost overruns and technical
problems. --- A new version of SBIRS Low was defined and funded in
2002. The restructured version consists of 8 LEO satellites.
The first SBIRS GEO---1 spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, was
launched on May 6, 2011 on an Atlas---5 vehicle fromthe Cape Canav-
eral Air Force station to provide global, persistent, infrared surveil-
lance capability to meet 21st century US military demands in four key
_____________________
6202) SES unveils IP--- based in--- home distribution of satellite TV signals, Space News, May 04.12, URL: ht-
tp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/SES_unveils_IP_based_in_home_distribution_of_satellite_TV_sig-
nals_999.html
6203) http://www.satreci.com/eng/ds1_1.html?tno=5#a32
3573
areas including missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence
and battle space awareness.
6204)
SBRC Santa Barbara ResearchCenter (of Hughes Aircraft Company inGole- . . . . . . . . . .
ta, CA --- The name (SBRC) was valid until 1996; the facility was re-
named to SBRS)
SBR Space---Based Radar (a DoD program in the definition phase as of . . . . . . . . . . .
2002). SBR is conceived as a constellation of reconnaissance satellites
in various orbital planes and altitudes (LEO, GEO). Some of the S/C
will feature SAR/MTI (Moving Target Indication) instruments. First
S/C launches may be expected in the time frame 2008.
SBRS Santa Barbara Remote Sensing (of Hughes Aircraft Company in Gole- . . . . . . . . . .
ta, CA, since 1996). Note: in Dec. 1997 Raytheon merged with the de-
fense operations of Hughes Electronics. The merger outcome was the
Raytheon Systems Company with HQ in Washington DC, consisting
of the following units: Raytheon Electronic Systems, Raytheon E---Sys-
tems, Raytheon TI Systems and Hughes Aircraft Company. SBRS in-
struments include: multispectral imagers (MSS and TM), radiometers,
spectrometers, polarimeters, and sounders.
Three major units of Raytheon Electronic Systems are based in Santa
Barbara/Goleta, CA. These are: RIO(Raytheon InfraredOperations),
SBRS (Santa Barbara Remote Sensing), and EWO (Electronic War-
fare Operations).
SB---SAT Swift---Broadband Terminal for Satellite. SB---SAT is a communica- . . . . . . .
tions terminal designed for LEO S/C applications that provides a
bi ---directional communications link to the LEO from the ground via
the Inmarsat 4th Generation GEO Communications Satellite Constel-
lation and the Inmarsat BGAN Network.
S/C Spacecraft . . . . . . . . . . . .
SCA Service Component Architecture (SCA) and Service Data Objects . . . . . . . . . . .
(SDO) are emerging newindustry standards (2006---2010) that simplify
service---oriented architecture (SOA) programming.
SCaN Space Communications and Navigation programof NASA. SCaNis re- . . . . . . . . . .
sponsible for three networks: the Space Network (SN), the Near---
Earth Network(NEN), and the Deep Space Network(DSN).
SCAPE Shenandoah Cloud and Photochemistry Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SCAR Smoke/Sulfates Clouds and Radiation (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
SCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (of ICSU) . . . . . . . . .
SCARAB Spacecraft Atmospheric Reentry and Aerothermal Breakup (ESA . . . . . . .
funded software package for spacecraft reentry simulation)
SCARLET Solar Concentrator Array with Refractive Linear Element Technology . . . . .
(a patented solar cell technology of AEC---Able Engineering Co., Go-
leta, CA, sponsored by BMDO and NASA/LeRC)
SCARS Scalable Self---Configurable Architecture for Reusable Space Systems . . . . . . . .
(in 2008 a research project at the University of Arizona using FPGAs to
fix a computer problem in a spacecraft)
SCATHA Spacecraft Charging at High Altitude (satellite of the USAF) . . . . . . .
SCATT (Wind) Scatterometer (ESA) . . . . . . . . .
SCCC Serial Concatenated Convolutional Turbo Coding . . . . . . . . . .
SCCCAMP South Central Coast Cooperative Aerometric Monitoring Program . . . . .
(campaign)
SCCS---SM Space Communication Cross Support---Service Management (of . . . . .
CCSDS)
6205)
_____________________
6204) Next Generation Missile Warning Satellite Launched Successfully, Space Daily, May 9, 2011, URL: ht-
tp://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Next_Generation_Missile_Warning_Satellite_Launched_Success-
fully_999.html
6205) CCSDS 910.11--- B--- 1, Space Communication Cross Support --- Service Management--- Service Specification,
Blue book, August 2009, URL: http://mtc--- m18.sid.inpe.br/col/sid.inpe.br/mtc--- m18%4080/2010/07.19.14.46/
doc/CCSDS%20910.11--- B--- 1.pdf
3574
SCD Swept Charge Detector . . . . . . . . . . .
SCD---1 Satlite de Coleta de Dados (Data Collection Satellite of Brazil) . . . . . . . .
SCE Superconducting Electronics . . . . . . . . . . .
SCISAT/ACE Science Satellite/Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment, A.29 . . .
SCIGN Southern California Integrated GPS Network . . . . . . . . .
SCMS Small Cumulus Microphysics Study (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
SCORE SCan---On---REceive (a digital beamforming technique in SARinstru- . . . . . . . .
mentation)
SCOPE San Clemente Ocean Probing Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SCOPE Scientific Committee on Problems of the Environment (ICSU) . . . . . . . .
SCOS---2000 Spacecraft Control & Operation System---2000 (SCOS---2000

is the . . . .
generic mission control system software of ESA).
SCOSTEP Scientific Committee on Solar---Terrestrially Physics [since 1978, an in- . . . . . .
ternational organization under the auspices of ISCU (International
Council for Science)]
6206)
SCPS Space Communications Protocol Standard (A standardization initia- . . . . . . . . . .
tive by NASA, DoD, DERA and others with the objective to comple-
ment and expand the current CCSDS standards) Although the CCSDS
packetized standards provide the underpinning for the automated, er-
ror---free exchange of data between space and ground stations, it is lim-
itedtobasic data transfer. SCPSwill provide theadditional capability to
aggregate bothtelecommandandtelemetry data into recognizable files
andtransport themend---to---endthroughthe data networks containing
space links in a reliable and secure manner.
SCPS---SP SCPS---Security Protocol . . . . . .
Scramjet Supersonic Combustible Ramjet (anair---breathing enginetechnology) . . . . . . .
SCRS Saudi Center of Remote Sensing, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia . . . . . . . . . .
SCS Soil Conservation Service (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
SCSMEX South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
SCT Space Communications Testbed (as of 2006 SCT is being developed by . . . . . . . . . . .
Comsat Laboratories, Glenn Research Center, Jet Propulsion Labora-
tory, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Langley Research Center)
SCTP Stream Control Transmission Protocol (a new transport layer protocol . . . . . . . . . .
in the Internet, along with TCP)
S---DAB Satellite --- Digital Audio Broadcast . . . . . . . .
SDARS Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (commonly called Satellite Ra- . . . . . . . .
dio)
SDCM System of Differential Correction and Monitoring (SBAS of GLO- . . . . . . . . .
NASS in planning as of 2009 by Roskosmos)
SDI Ship Detection and Identification (method in AIS) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SDI Strategic Defense Initiative. In1983, USPresident RonaldReaganpro- . . . . . . . . . . . .
posed the SDI plan in the Cold War period, pointing to a new defense
direction. However, implementation was held back because of techno-
logical shortfalls.
SDIO Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (within the US DoD, since . . . . . . . . . .
1984). In 1993, SDIO was renamed to BMDO (Ballistic Missile De-
fense Organization). In 2002, BMDO was renamed to MDA (Missile
Defense Agency)
SDMA Space---Division Multiple Access (a beamforming technique permit- . . . . . . . . .
ting a multi ---user environment). In the SDMAscheme, the same chan-
nel, the same time slot, and the same modulation scheme can be shared
with different distributed user terminals, thereby giving efficient fre-
quency reuse by the large number of users under the coverage of a plat-
form.
_____________________
6206) Marianna G. Shepherd, SCOSTEP: Understanding climate and weather of the Eaerth--- Sun System, UN CO-
PUOS55thGeneral Session, Vienna, Austria, 6 --- 15 June, 2012, URL: http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/pdf/pres/co-
puos2012/tech--- 15.pdf
3575
SDR Software Defined Radio (a reconfigurable wireless technology --- a ra- . . . . . . . . . . .
dio communication systemwhich uses software for the modulation, fil-
tering anderror correctionof radiosignals (these were traditionally im-
plemented in hardware). Unlike traditional radios, a software radio re-
ceiver digitizes the received waveforms as soon as possible using a fast
analog---to---digital converter (ADC). --- The benefit of SDR techno-
logy over fixed---capability digital electronics is that the waveform im-
plementationthe implementation of the algorithm that converts
between digital data and analog radio signalscan be independent of
the hardware implementation. SDRwill be a powerful innovator in the
communications technology.
SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory . . . . . . .
SDSC Satish Dhawan Space Center SHAR (main launch center of ISRO on . . . . . . . . . .
the south---east coast of India, Sriharikota)
SDSS SloanDigital Sky Survey --- --- a major multi ---filter imaging andspectro- . . . . . . . . . .
scopic redshift survey using a dedicated 2.5 mwide---angle optical tele-
scope at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. The project was
named after the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The survey was begun in
2000, and aims to map 25% of the sky and obtain observations on
around 100 million objects and spectra for 1 million objects.
SEACAT type of buoy (made by Sea---Bird Electronics), temperature and con- . . . . . . .
ductivity sensor
SEADEX Shoreline Environment Atmospheric Dispersion Experiment (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
SEAFIRE South---East Asia Fire Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
Sea Launch Asea---going launch system, based at Long Beach, CA. Sea Launch is a . . . . .
joint venture of The Boeing Commercial Space Co., Seattle, USA, KB
Yuzhnoye/POof Dnepropetrosvk, Ukraine(provider of the Zenit rock-
et), RSC Energia of Korolev, Russia (builder of an upper stage of the
rocket), and Kvaerner Maritime A/S, Lysaker, Norway and London,
UK(builder of the self---propelled launchplatformandthe Sea Launch
command and assembly ship). The Sea Launch venture was announced
in June 1994. The first launch of a demonstration satellite with a Ze-
nit---3SL rocket took place March 27, 1999 from the floating Sea
Launch platform, positioned at the equator. Sea Launch has a capacity
to put up to 5000 kg of launch mass into a geostationary transfer orbit
(GTO).
Seasat NASA/JPL EO mission (D.52) . . . . . . . . . .
SEASOAR Towed profiling CTD and ADCP system (TOGA/COARE campaign) . . . . .
SeaStar An ORBIMAGE mission with the SeaWiFS sensor (B.12). In 1997 . . . . . . . .
OSC renamed the SeaStar mission to Orbview---2)
SeaWiFS Sea Wide Field Sensor (this sensor is considered the CZCS successor) . . . . . . .
SECAM Sequential Color and Memory [European (French) video standard]. . . . . . . . .
SECAMhas animageformat of 4:3, operatingwith625lines per picture
frame at 50 Hz and 6 MHz video bandwidth with a total of 8 MHz video
channel width.
SECDED Single Error Correction --- Double Error Detection . . . . . . .
SECOMS Satellite EHF Communications for Mobile Multimedia Services, an . . . . . . .
EU project in the time frame 1995---98
SEDAC Socio---Economic Data and Applications Center (DAAC at CIESIN) . . . . . . . .
SEDIS SeaWiFS European Data Information System (ESA/ESRIN) . . . . . . . . .
SEDS Students for the ExplorationandDevelopment of Space(since 1980, in- . . . . . . . . . .
ternational student organization)
SEE Single Event Effect in onboard logic circuits [SEEs manifested them- . . . . . . . . . . .
selves in two ways: unexpected short circuits (Single Event Latch Up),
and in erroneous bit flips (Single Event Upset)].
SEE Socit des Electriciens et des Electroniciens . . . . . . . . . . .
3576
SEE Space Environments and Effects program since 1995 [NASA (US gov- . . . . . . . . . . .
ernment, industry and university participants), also international par-
ticipation]
SEEDS Seeds in Space Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
SEG Society of Exploration Geophysicists . . . . . . . . . . .
SEH Solar Extreme Ultraviolet Hitchhiker (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
SEI Space Electronics Inc., San Diego, CA . . . . . . . . . . . .
SEI Specific Emitter Identification (of an RF system) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SEL Space Environment Laboratory (NOAA, Boulder CO, real ---time pro- . . . . . . . . . . .
cessing of all SEM package data, space environment forecasts)
SEL Surface---Emitting Laser (a conventional diode laser with a horizontal . . . . . . . . . . .
cavity, beams are emitted in the direction parallel to the wafer plane)
SEL Single Event Latchup (refers to a potentially destructive condition in- . . . . . . . . . . .
volving parasitic circuit elements forming a silicon controlled rectifier.
In traditional SEL, the device current may destroy the device if not cur-
rent limited and removed in time) In spaceflight an SELin an IC (in-
tegrated circuit) is normally caused by cosmic radiation.
SELEX Galileo Campanies in the UK(SELEXGalileo Ltd) and in Italy (SELEXGali- .
leo S.p.A.). In January 2010, the campanys Italian registration has
changed from Galileo Avionica S.p.A. to SELEX Galileo S.p.A..
SELODE Solar Exposure to Laser Ordnance Device (Shuttle experiment on . . . . . . .
SPARTAN)
SEM Space Environment Monitor (NOAA Sensor package on GOES and . . . . . . . . . . .
POES series; Note: the GOES series SEM package arrangement dif-
fers considerably from the POES series SEM package)
SEM Space Experiment Module (Shuttle structure for small experiments) . . . . . . . . . . .
SEMAPHORE Structure des Echanges Mer---Atmosphere, Proprietes des Heteroge- . .
neites Oceaniques (French airborne campaign)
SERB Space Experiments Review Board [an instrument of the DoD STP . . . . . . . . . .
(Space Test Program) to select and manage projects]
SERC Science and Engineering Research Council (UK, the Mullard Space . . . . . . . . . .
Science Laboratory of SERC)
SerDes Serializer/Deserializer. SerDes is a key component of serial communic- . . . . . . . . .
ation architecture for high---speed servers and communications net-
working systems and point---to---point communication links. It is a vital
building block for spaceborne high---speed data communications. Ser-
Des converts parallel data, typically a data bus, to one or more serial
data channels (lanes) and vice---versa.
SERON South Eastern (US) Regional Oxidant Network (field programto study . . . . . . . .
atmospheric chemistry, July---August 1991)
SERSS Space---basedEarthRemote Sensing System(animagingproject of Ro- . . . . . . . . .
saviakosmos using the Monitor satellite series)
SERT SSP(Space Solar Power) Exploratory Researchand Technology [SERT . . . . . . . . . .
program of NASA established in 1999]
SES Saab---Ericsson Space, Gteborg (HQ), Sweden . . . . . . . . . . .
SES Societe Europeenne des Satellites (Luxembourg, owner and operator . . . . . . . . . . .
of the ASTRA satellite series, in 2001 SES acquired GE Americom of
Princeton, NJ). As of Nov. 2001, the newcompany is called SESGlobal,
SA
SESAME Second European Stratospheric Arctic and Midlatitude Experiment . . . . . . .
(campaign)
SESAME Severe Environmental Storms and Mesoscale Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . .
SESAR Single EuropeanSky Air Traffic Management Research (EuropeanIris . . . . . . . .
program in ARTES 10 for satellite based communication). --- In this
context, Iris is the dedicated ESA program to support SESARunder
the umbrella of ESAs ARTES 10 program.
SESO Socit Europenne de Systmes Optiques, (Aix en Provence, France) . . . . . . . . . .
3577
SET Single Electron Transistor . . . . . . . . . . .
SET Single Event Transient (a SET occurs when the charge collected from . . . . . . . . . . .
an ionization event discharges in the formof a spurious signal traveling
through the circuit. This is de facto the effect of an electrostatic dis-
charge)
SETAS Space Environments and Technology Archive System (NASA/LaRC) . . . . . . . . .
SETI Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence . . . . . . . . . .
SEU/SET Single Event Upset / Single Event Transient . . . . . . .
S&F Store---and---Forward (a non---real ---time communication technique) . . . . . . . . . . .
SFDU Standard Format Data Unit (a CCSDS format concept) . . . . . . . . .
SFO Store and Forward Overlay (a store and forward mechanism where . . . . . . . . . . .
each file is assembled at each relay. This allows detailed status report-
ing and allows queues of files at relays to be manipulated)
SFODB Spaceborne Fiber Optic Data Bus (SFODB employs a redundant . . . . . . . .
cross---strapped ring architecture supporting up to 127 nodes, scalable
data rates from 200 Mbit/s --- 1 Gbit/s per node)
SFTP Scalable Fault---Tolerant Protocol (for parallel runtime environments) . . . . . . . . . .
SGG Satellite Gravity Gradiometry . . . . . . . . . . .
SGGM Superconducting Gravity Gradiometer Mission, NASA (SGGM was . . . . . . . . .
cancelled by NASA in the 1990s due to budget constraints)
SGLS Space---to---Ground Link Subsystem (DoD satellite communications, . . . . . . . . . .
an NRL developed system). Since the 1960s, DoD has enjoyed the ex-
clusive use of the SGLS band (1755---1850 MHz) for satellite opera-
tions.
SGP4 Simplified General Perturbations Satellite Orbit Model 4. NORAD . . . . . . . . . .
provides TLEs (Two Line Elements) in conjunction with SGP4. These
elements are being used for many LEOmissions in LEOP(Launchand
Early Orbit Phase).
SGR Space GPS Receiver (a device built by SSTL, Surrey UK) . . . . . . . . . . .
SGS 85 Soviet Geodetic System 1985 . . . . . . . . .
SGS Svalbard Ground Station (also referred to as SvalSat), located at . . . . . . . . . . .
78.216 N, 20 Eon the Norwegian Svalbard archipelago (also referred
to as Spitzbergen) near the town of Longyearbyen. SGS/SvalSat is
owned by the Norwegian Space Center (Norsk Romsenter), Oslo, Nor-
way, and operated by the Troms Satellite Station (TSS). The high lati-
tude makes SGS (just 960 kmfromthe North Pole) a very sought---after
link for polar---orbiting satellites. SGS can in fact provide S/C contact
for all orbits of polar orbiting satellites having altitudes above 500 km.
6207)
Inthetime frame1997---99, NASAbuilt its ownTT&Cstation(two11m
antennas in X--- and S---band) right next to SGS in support of its own
Earth observing satellites (Landsat---7, Terra, EO---1, SAC---C, Acrim-
Sat, CHAMP, QuikSCAT, Aqua, QuikTOMS, etc.). --- As of Aug. 1,
2001, TSSis operating a new13 mmulti ---missiongroundstation insup-
port of Envisat andERS---2 missions ona priority basis. Sincethe endof
2000, ESOC has been tracking the ERS---2 S/C from SGS. --- The EPS
(EUMETSAT Polar System), consisting of the MetOp series, is also
planned to be operated from SGS. Two complete ground stations with
10 m diameter antennas are being installed for EPS. The ground sta-
tions at SGSareoperatedby a teamof TNOC(TromsNetworkOpera-
tions Center) from Troms.
In this context, there is another location on Svalbard, namely at Ny---
lesund (78.9275 N, 11.8825 E), with the DLR/GFZ NGS (Ny---le-
sund Ground Station) using an S---band receiving antenna dish of 4 m
diameter, installed by DLR. NGS is remotely operated and main-
_____________________
6207) T. Andreassen, T. Beck, J. Bolle, A. Haaland, A. Jensen, Polar Bears and Spacecraft Tracking, ESABulletin 109,
Feb. 2002, pp. 118--- 121
3578
tained/serviced fromDLR/DFDor fromGFZ(programcontrolledop-
eration by two---line elements). Initial remote operations of NGS
started in April 2001 with the tracking support of the CHAMPmission.
The tracking of the BIRD and GRACE missions is planned to start in
the second half of 2002, after multimission upgrades are implemented
at NGS.
SHAR Sriharikota Range (ISROs main launch site, India, located on Indias . . . . . . . . .
east coast at 13.9 N, 80.4 E, about 100 km north of Chennai). SHAR
covers an area of about 145 km
2
, the range became operational in1971.
In 2002, SHAR has been renamed to , SHAR (SDSC---SHAR) in
honor of the former chairman of the space commission, a pioneer of In-
dias space program.
SHARE Space---Station Heat Pipe Advanced Radiator Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . .
SHEBA Surface Heat Budget in the Arctic (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SHELS Shuttle Hitchhiker Experiment Launch System . . . . . . . . .
SHF Super High Frequency (3 --- 30 GHz band) . . . . . . . . . . .
SHOM Service Hydrographique et Ocanographique de la Marine (French . . . . . . . . .
Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service) since 1971, with HQ
in Brest, France. SHOM is a public service and a defense support
agency --- providing science andtechnical services (data acquisition, ba-
thymetry, cartography, geophysics, oceanography).
SHOOT Super Fluid Helium On Orbit Transfer (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . .
SHS Spatial Heterodyne Spectroscopy (see O.6.3) . . . . . . . . . . .
Si Silicon (detector material) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SI International Systemof Units ( fromthe French: Systme International . . . . . . . . . . . . .
dUnits). SI is the most widely used systemof units. It is the most com-
mon system for everyday commerce in the world, and is almost univer-
sally used in the realm of science. Since 1960
SiAs Arsenic---doped silicon detectors . . . . . . . . . . .
SiGa Silicon gallium (detector) . . . . . . . . . . .
SI Systme International dUnits (International System of Units) . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SiC Silicon carbide (example: SiC---type ceramic mirrors and structures are . . . . . . . . . . . .
components in optomechanical systems), inthis context C---SiCis Crys-
tal Silicon Carbide. See Glossary
SICH Owl (in Ukrainian, see SICH---1 under OKEAN) . . . . . . . . . .
SIDECAR System for Image Digitization, Enhancement, Control And Retrieval . . . . . .
--- an advanced low---noise, low power microprocessor---based control
chip as of 2008 [an ASCI(Application Specific Integrated Circuit], de-
signed by Teledyne Imaging Sensors of Thousand Oaks, CA, to convert
the analog signals into digital signals.
SIGINT Signals Intelligence. SIGINTis intelligence---gathering by interception . . . . . . . .
of signals.
SIL Space Innovations Limited, Newburry, Berks, UK [founded in 1983, . . . . . . . . . . . .
since 1998 a subsidiary of SpaceDev Inc., San Diego, CA; SSTL (Sur-
rey) purchased SIL in 2000]
SIM Space Interferometry Mission (NASA); now referred to as SIM---Lite . . . . . . . . . . .
SIMMS Seasonal Sea Ice Monitoring and Modeling Site (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SIMONE Smallsat Intercept Missions to Objects Near Earth, [a mission constel- . . . . . . .
lation (concept study led by QinetiQ, UK) to search for NEOs within
the framework of ESA]
SIMPLEX Shuttle Ionospheric Modification with Pulsed Local Exhaust (Shuttle . . . . . .
payload)
SIMOX Separation by Implantation of Oxygen (a SOI manufacturing process) . . . . . . . .
SIO Scripps Institutionof Oceanography (part of UCat SanDiego, LaJolla, . . . . . . . . . . . .
CA)
SIPRNet Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (integral part of DoDs De- . . . . . . .
fense Information Systems Network)
3579
SIPT Socit Internationale de Photogrammtrie et de Tldtection . . . . . . . . . . .
SIR Shuttle Imaging Radar (SIR---A with Payload A; SIR---B with Payload . . . . . . . . . . . .
B, etc.), see J.21 --- J.23
SIRTF Space InfraRedTelescope Facility (NASA/JPL, a spacebornecryogenic . . . . . . . . .
infrared observatory dedicated to astronomy, a launch took place on
Aug. 25, 2003). SIRTF uses a Ritchey---Chretien telescope with 85 cm
aperture diameter, total spectral range: 3.6 --- 160 mm (cooled to < 5.5
K). The three instruments are: IRAC(Infrared Array Camera) operat-
ing in MWIR (3.6 --- 8 mm); IRS (Infrared Spectrograph) operating in
5.3 --- 37 mm range for high and low---resolution spectroscopy; and
MIPS (Multiband Imaging Photometer for SIRTF) operating in FIR
(24---160 mm). S/C launch mass of 950 kg.
SIS Superconductor---Insulator---Superconductor (tunnel junctions, also a . . . . . . . . . . . .
microwave spectrometer receiver type)
SISNET Signal in Space through the Internet (ESA project within the frame- . . . . . . . .
work of EGNOS and ESTB)
SITe Scientific Imaging Technologies Inc. (US company in Beaverton, OR, . . . . . . . . . . .
CCD imaging products)
SITP Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics (of the Academy of Sciences of . . . . . . . . . . .
China), founded in 1958. Development of optical and infrared sensors
since 1964 as well as radiometers.
SIZEX Seasonal Ice Zone Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
SJ Shi Jian(meaning experiment or experimental). Aspin---stabilized . . . . . . . . . . . . .
scientific minisatellite series of CAST, China; launch of SJ---1 onMarch
3, 1971; SJ---2 (2Aand 2B) launch Sept. 19, 1981, S/Cmass =257 kg for
each S/C (note: three satellites were launched by a single launch ve-
hicle); SJ---4 launch on Feb. 8, 1994 (orbit: 210 km x 36125 km, inclina-
tion = 28.6), S/C mass = 396 kg; SJ---5 launch on May 10, 1999
SKA Square Kilometer Array [International project plan of the IAU(started . . . . . . . . . . .
in 2000) for a new radiotelescope which will come into operation in
about 2020]. Its collecting area will be almost 100 times larger than
todays biggest radioimaging telescopes providing orders---of---mag-
nitude increases insensitivity andfieldof view. The SKAproject is man-
aged by the SPDO (SKAProgramDevelopment Office). The SKAOr-
ganization, with its headquarters at Jodrell Bank Observatory, near
Manchester, UK, was established in December 2011.
In May 2012, a decision was made by SPDO to split the SKA imple-
mentation sites between the two host contries, Australia and South
Africa. When fully implemented in 2024, the SKA will be the worlds
largest and most sensitive radio telescope.
6208)
SKYLAB Sky Laboratory, NASA Space Station of the 1970s (L.5) . . . . . . .
SL Spacelab --- a modular general purpose laboratory. Anintegral element . . . . . . . . . . . . .
of NASAs Space Shuttle Program provided by ESA (build by MBB/
ERNO). Spacelab itself comprised several elements that could be
mixed---and---matched to suit mission requirements. A typical launch
mass of a Spacelab was in the order of about 10 tons. SL---1 totalled a
PM(PressurizedModule) mass of 8,145 kgplus aPallet mass of 3,386kg
(including 1392 kg of payload mass). Spacelab is the first European
manned space project. Atotal of 22 missions were flown with Spacelab
startingwithSTS---9(Nov. 28, 1983) until STS---90 (April 17, 1998). The
Spacelab program provided numerous investigators from many coun-
tries an opportunity, to fly their instruments. Experiments conducted
were generally in the fields of Earth observation, astronomy, atmo-
spheric physics, life sciences, and material sciences under microgravity
conditions.
_____________________
6208) Dual site agreed for Square Kilometre Array telescope, May 25, 2012, URL: http://www.skatelescope.org/news/
dual--- site--- agreed--- square--- kilometre--- array--- telescope/
3580
SLA Shuttle Laser Altimeter (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
SLAR Side---Looking Airborne Radar (an active sensor with Real Aperture . . . . . . . . . .
Radar technology)
SLC Satellite Launch Center (complex) . . . . . . . . . . .
SloshSat---FLEVO Asmall satellite of the Netherlands tostudy fluid dynamics in lowgravi-
ty with FLEVO (Facility for Liquid Experimentation and Verification
in Orbit). Shuttle payload
SLR Satellite Laser Ranging (a network of ground stations providing ser- . . . . . . . . . . .
vices of laser range measurements)
SLS Space Life Sciences (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SLS Strained Layer Superlattice (infrared detector type) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SMA Shape Memory Alloy . . . . . . . . . . .
SMART Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology (ESA Horizons . . . . . . . .
2000 mission)
SMART Smart Multi ---Aperture Radar Techniques (in applications for high--- . . . . . . . .
resolution wide---swath SAR imaging). Use of multiple transmit/re-
ceive channels and the introduction of DBF (Digital Beam---Forming)
in the conventional SAR processing.
SMC Space and Missile Systems Center, part of Air Force Materiel Com- . . . . . . . . . . .
mand, with HQs located at Los Angeles AFB, El Segundo, CA (since
1954). SMC has operating sites throughout the USA, including the op-
erating location detachment at NASAs Johnson Space Center, Hous-
ton, Texas; Detachment 2 at Onizuka Air Station inSunnyvale, CA; and
Detachment 9 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, CA. SMCis also the par-
ent center of the host unit at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque,
NM. SMCs work force totals over 9,500 employees. Some major pro-
grams of SMC are GPS/NAVSTAR, DMSP, SBIRS, etc.
SMCS Scalable Multi ---Channel Communication Subsystem. SMCS---332 and . . . . . . . . . .
SMCS---Lite are chips from the same family.
SMC/TE Space and Missile Systems Center / Test & Evaluation Directorate. A . . . . . . .
tri ---service (Army, Navy, Air Force) S/Cdivision withlocations at Kirt-
land AFB, Albuquerque, NM; Falcon AFB, Colorado Springs, CO;
VAFB, Vandenberg, CA; Los Angeles AFB, El Segundo, CA; and at
NASA/JSC, Houston TX. SMC/TE was established in 1992.
SMC/TEL Space and Missile Systems Center / Space and Missile Test Evaluation . . . . . .
Directorate. The Air Force serves as the executive agent for the Space
Test Program (STP).
SMC/TEO SMC/ Orbital Telemetry, Tracking and Commanding Operations Divi- . . . . . .
sion
SMDC Space & Missile Defense Command (US Army Forces Strategic Com- . . . . . . . . .
mand)
SME Small and Medium sized manufacturing Enterprises (established in . . . . . . . . . . .
Europe in 1992 by the EC)
SME Solar Mesosphere Explorer (NASA, K.24) . . . . . . . . . . .
SMEX Small Explorer Program(NASA/GSFCprogramsince 1988 supporting . . . . . . . . .
disciplines in astrophysics, space physics and upper atmospheric sci-
ence; SMEX missions are SAMPEX, FAST, SWAS, TOMS, etc.)
SMHI Sweriges MeteorologiskaochHydrologiskaInstitut (SwedishMeteoro- . . . . . . . . . .
logical and Hydrological Institute), Norrkping
SMM Solar Maximum Mission (NASA,K.26) . . . . . . . . . .
SMOS Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (ESA mission, D.53) . . . . . . . . .
SMS Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (designation of the first US . . . . . . . . . . .
weather satellites (1974); this series was later renamedGOES(NOAA)
SMTI Surface Moving Target Indication (a mode of operation of a radar to . . . . . . . . . .
discriminate a target against clutter --- detectionof objects that move on
Earths surface)
SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol . . . . . . . . . .
3581
SNAP Surrey Nanosatellite Applications Program (D.62.16) . . . . . . . . . .
SNAS Satellite Navigation Augmentation System, of China . . . . . . . . . .
SNC Sierra Nevada Corporation, with HQ in Sparks NV, USA. SNC owned . . . . . . . . . . .
subsidiaries are:
MSI (MicroSat Systems Inc.) of Englewood, CO
SpaceDev of Poway, CA
SpaceDev of Louisville, CO
Straight Flight Inc. of Englewood, CO
SNCMP Service National des Champs Magnetique Pulses (Toulouse, France) . . . . . . . .
SNECMA SNECMAMoteurs, Paris, France [manufacturer of aircraft and space- . . . . . .
craft engines (launch vehicles), also builder of electric propulsion sys-
tems for satellites].
--- SEPR(Socit dEtudes de la Propulsion par Raction) was founded
in 1944
--- In 1965 SNECMA launched its Space Motors Division
--- In1969, SEPRmergedwithSnecmas Motors divisionto produce the
Socit Europenne de Propulsion (SEP).
--- In 2002, the company became a subsidiary of Snecma S.A. (that be-
came the Safran Group in 2005), and adopted the corporate name
Snecma Propulsion Solide.
SNL Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM --- since 1945, and . . . . . . . . . . .
Livermore CA, USA; SNLis part of DOEand operatedby AT&Tsince
1949). Since Oct. 1, 1993, SNL is managed by Martin Marietta Corp.,
now Lockheed Martin. Part of SNL is now part of LANL.
SNOE Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (N.26.1) . . . . . . . . .
SNR Signal ---to---Noise Ratio . . . . . . . . . . .
SNSB Swedish National Space Board (RYDSTYRELSEN), Solna Sweden. . . . . . . . . . .
SNSBis a central governmental agency under the Ministry of Industry,
Employment and Communication. SNSB is responsible for national
and international activities relating to space and remote sensing, pri-
marily research and development.
SO
2
Sulphur dioxide . . . . . . . . . . .
SO
4
Sulphur radical . . . . . . . . . . .
SOA Service Oriented Architecture. In computing, SOA provides methods . . . . . . . . . . .
for systems development and integration where systems package func-
tionality as interoperable services. A SOA infrastructure allows differ-
ent applications to exchange data with one another.
SOA State Oceanic Administration (Beijing, China). NSOAS (National . . . . . . . . . . .
Satellite Ocean Application Service) is a center of SOA.
SoC Systemon Chip (communication I/F). ASoCcan be defined as a single . . . . . . . . . . .
device that incorporates CPU, ROM, RAM, IO, clocking, analog to di-
gital, digital to analog and communication, or some mix of peripherals
to support a complete task.
SOC Science Operations Center . . . . . . . . . . .
SOCC Satellite Operations and Control Center (NOAA) . . . . . . . . .
SOCEX Southern Ocean Cloud Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SODAR Sound Detection and Ranging (system) . . . . . . . .
SODERN Societe Anonyme dEtudes et Realisations Nucleaires (French instru- . . . . . .
ment company, Limeil ---Brvannes), now EADS---Sodern
SOEST School of Ocean & Earth Science & Technology, University of Hawaii . . . . . . . .
at Manoa, HI
SOFC Solid Oxide Fuel Cell . . . . . . . . . .
SOFIA Stratospheric Observatory For InfraredAstronomy (P.195). Acoopera- . . . . . . . . .
tive NASA and DLR astronomy observatory. A Boeing 747---SP air-
craft, a modified airliner, is the platformof SOFIA. Flights start in late
2002, long---termobservations for up to 20 years are planned. The tele-
scope of SOFIA, provided by DLR, has an effective diameter of 2.5 m.
The mass of the telescope is 18,000 kg.
3582
SOFIA Surface of the Ocean, Fluxes and Interaction with the Atmosphere . . . . . . . . .
(campaign)
SOFRADIR Socit Francaise de Dtecteurs InfraRouge (HQ in Chatenay---Ma- . . . .
labry, near Paris, France). Sofradir manufactures advanced infrared
detectors (IR) for military, space and commercial applications.
SOHO Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (see K.27) . . . . . . . . .
SOI Silicon---On---Insulator (thin insulator technology for microproces- . . . . . . . . . . . .
sors). In SOI devices the electronic active layers are fabricated on the
insulator layer, while in conventional bulk CMOS devices the active
layers are fabricatedonthe siliconlayer. SOI is thetechnology of choice
for radiation---critical applications (immunity to single---event latch---
up from high---energy particles).
SOIF Spacecraft Onboard InterFaces (a sub---panel of CCSDS) . . . . . . . . . .
SOIS Spacecraft Onboard Interface Services (a standard is being developed . . . . . . . . . .
as of 2008 to map SOIS functions onto the protocols of SpaceWire,
MIL---STD---1553B and CAN)
SOLAR---A ISAS Solar---Terrestrial Mission . . . . .
SOLAS International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea . . . . . . . .
SOLSE/LORE Shuttle Ozone Limb Sounding Experiment/Limb Ozone Retrieval Ex- . .
periment (Shuttle payload)
SONEX SASS Ozone and NOx Experiment (NASA campaign in planning) . . . . . . . .
SONG Space Oceanography Navigation and Geodynamics) (a Workshop se- . . . . . . . . .
ries on satellite altimetry)
SOP Special Observation Period (in campaigns) . . . . . . . . . . .
SOP Standard of Practice (referring to those technologies which are main- . . . . . . . . . . .
stream and in common use)
SORCE Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment, A.30 . . . . . . . .
SOS Southern Oxidants Study (campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
SOUP Solar Optical Universal Polarimeter (Spacelab---2 sensor) . . . . . . . . .
Sovinformsputnik Provider/distributor of commercial imagery and image products, Mo-
scow (since 1991). The company was founded by Russian space enter-
prises such as: a) State Research and Production Space Rocket Center
(TsSKB---Progress), Samara, b) the joint stock company Krasnogors-
kiy Zavod, c) NPO Lavotchkin, d) State Scientific and Production
Center Priroda.
SPA Space Plug---and---play Architecture. SPAcombines modularity, stand- . . . . . . . . . . .
ardization, and intelligent interfaces.
SpaceDev SpaceDev Inc. is a commercial company withHQinPoway (SanDiego, . . . . . .
since 1997), CA, manufacturer of microsatellites (ICESAT, etc.), sub-
systems and propulsion
SPACEHAB Aconcept for commercially sponsored and procured payloads and ser- . . . .
vices onShuttle. SPACEHABInc., of Vienna, VA, has a NASAcontract
leasing Shuttle space ona commercial basis inthe so---calledCommer-
cial Middeck Augmentation Module (CMAM), a pressurizedresearch
lab owned by SPACEHAB (an extension of the Shuttle orbiter mid-
deck in the Shuttle cargo bay). SPACEHAB in turn sells its services,
providing the needed support for commercial development of space
payloads as well as physical andoperational integration, andall services
(training, etc.) for these payloads. Once inflight, SPACEHABpayloads
are crew---tended on request. The SPACEHAB contract was awarded
in Nov. 1990, the first SPACEHABflight took place onSTS---57 inJune
1993. --- SPACEHAB---1, ---2 identifies alsoa series of Shuttle payloads.
SPACELAB Space Laboratory on NASA Shuttle missions (J.24 --- J.25) . . . . .
Space Imaging Space Imaging Inc. (since 1994) of Thornton, CO, acquired EOSAT in . .
1995 [distributor of IKONOS imagery, ERS---1/2, JERS and Radarsat
data (USA), global distributor of IRS---1C/D imagery]. The owners of
Space Imaging are: LM, E---Systems (of Raytheon), Mitsubishi, Vander
Horst (Singapore), Halla Heavy Industries (Korea). --- As of Sept. 2005,
3583
Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, the parent companies, have agreed to
sell Space Imaging to OrbImage Inc.
SpaceQuest Ltd. Small satellite andcomponents builder, Fairfax, VA, USA(since1994). .
Provider of AIS services on AprizeSat---3 and ---4 (launch in July 2009).
SpaceWire SpaceWire (SpW) is an emerging network standard for on---board . . . . . .
space applications, composed of nodes and routers, interconnected
through bi ---directional high---speed digital serial links, operating at
2---400 Mbit/s. --- In 2010, SpaceWire has became a mature standard; it
is being implemented into many spaceborne missions.
SpaceX Space Exploration Technologies Inc., Hawthorne, CA, USA (since . . . . . . . .
June 2002, founded by Elon Musk), provider of low---cost launch ser-
vices (Falcon---1 vehicle) basedmostly onreusable rockets. Falcon---9is
the current workhorse of the SpaceX fleet of launch vehicles. In 2010,
during the second, highly successful launch of Falcon 9, SpaceX de-
ployed eight secondary payloads from six P---PODs (PicoSatellite Or-
bital Deployers).
SPAD Single Photon Avalanche Diode . . . . . . . . . .
SPADE Stratospheric Photochemistry, Aerosols and Dynamics Experiment . . . . . . . .
(campaign)
SPAN Space Physics Analysis Network (based on the DECnet protocol). [The . . . . . . . . . .
US --- SPAN (NASA) service was discontinued at the end of 1990; the
E---SPAN (ESA) service will be continued]. SPAN permits user access
to data archives. The successor of SPAN in the US is NSI (NASA Sci-
ence Internet), a dual protocol (TCP/IP and DECnet) network.
SPARC Stratospheric Processes and their Role in Climate (WCRPproject, suc- . . . . . . . . .
cessor to STIB)
SPARTAN Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy (Shuttle). . . . . . .
SPARTAN is a small free---flying vehicle (about 1 x 1.25 x 1.5 m) for a
variety of experiments (managed by OAST)
SPAS Shuttle Pallet Satellite (a Shuttle retrievable free---flyer platform for . . . . . . . . . .
payloads, SPAS was built by MBB), SPAS---1 on STS---7 in 1983, AS-
TRO---SPAS is a direct successor of SPAS, ASTRO---SPAS---1 on
STS---51 in Sept. 1993
SPDM Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator . . . . . . . . .
SPDT Single Point Diamond Turning. A technique used to to manufacture . . . . . . . . . .
high---quality aspheric optical elements from crystals, metals, acrylic,
and other materials. Optical elements (mirrors), produced with SDPT,
are used in optical assemblies in telescopes, video projectors, missile
guidance systems, lasers, scientific research instruments, etc.
SPECTRA Surface Processes andEcosystems Changes throughResponse Analysis . . . . . .
(a proposed ESA Core Mission), in 2001 SPECTRA is the new name
andsuccessor of PRISM(Processes Researchby anImaging SpaceMis-
sion), an instrument, and LSPIM(Land Surface Processes and Interac-
tions Mission)
SPECTRE Spectral Radiance Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
Spectrum Astro Spectrum Astro Inc. of Gilbert, AZ (since 1988); Spacecraft builder of . .
missions: Deep Space 1, MightySat---II---1, Coriolis, GLAST, etc. Note:
As of July 2004, SpectrumAstro Inc. was acquired by General Dynam-
ics (HQ in Falls Church, VA). Spectrum Astro is now part of General
Dynamics C4 Systems of Scottsdale, AZ.
SPHERES Synchronized Position Hold Engage Re---orient Experiment Satellites . . . . . .
(a testbed at the MIT Space Systems Laboratory) --- a reconfigurable
platform with representative dynamics for the validation of metrology,
formation flight, and autonomy algorithms.
SPI Serial Peripheral Interface (communications bus) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPICA Space Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics of ISAS . . . . . . . . .
(Institute for Space and Astronomical Science at the University of To-
kyo, Japan). A launch is planned for 2010 to L2.
3584
SPICE Sensors Performance in Cloud Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
SPIE Society of Photo---Optical Instrumentation Engineering (internation- . . . . . . . . . . .
al)
SPIE Shuttle Plume Impingement Experiment . . . . . . . . . . .
SPIFEX Shuttle Plume Impingement Flight Experiment . . . . . . . .
SPIN---2 Space Information---2 Meter. SPIN---2 is a joint venture (company) of . . . . . . . .
Interbranch Association SOVINFORMSPUTNIK (Moscow, Russia),
Aerial Images, Inc. (Raleigh, NC), and Central Trading Systems, Inc.,
(Huntington Bay, NY). The objective is to market high---resolution
panchromatic imagery data (2 m) of past Russian missions (Resurs---F
series). See KFA---1000 camera system under RESURS---F (the cam-
era is also known by the name KVR---1000).
SPORT Small Payload Orbit Transfer (an AeroAstro concept) . . . . . . . .
SPOT Systme Pour lObservationde la Terre (FrenchEarth Observing Satel- . . . . . . . . . .
lite), (D.55)
Spot Image SPOT program data distributor (Toulouse, France, and Reston, VA, . . . . .
USA), a unit of CNES, France. As of July 15, 2008, the EADSs Astrium
Services unit has acquired a majority stake (81%) in Spot Image (from
CNES). --- InJanuary 2011, Astriumfully integratedSpot Image andIn-
foterra into new GEO---Information business division.
6209)
SPRE SPARTANPacket Radio Experiment (an amateur radio experiment on . . . . . . . . . .
Shuttle SPARTAN)
SPS Standard Positioning Service (GPS) . . . . . . . . . . . .
SPST Single Pole Single Throw (Switch) . . . . . . . . . .
SPT Stationary Plasma Thruster (method of electric on---orbit propulsion) . . . . . . . . . . .
SQUID Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (detector type, most . . . . . . . .
sensitive device for magnetic field detection in particular with super-
conducting technology)
SQPSK Staggered Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (modulation type) . . . . . . . . .
SRAM Static Random Access Memory . . . . . . . . .
SRB Surface Radiation Budget (GEWEX project) . . . . . . . . . . .
SRC Space Regatta Consortium (Konsorsium Kosmicheskaya regata) since . . . . . . . . . . .
1990, the association is based on the premises of RSC Energia
SRC/PAS Space Research Centre / Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland . . . . . . .
SRDL Signal Research and Development Laboratory, Fort Monmouth, N.J . . . . . . . . . .
(of the US Army Signal Corps). SRDL provided important contribu-
tions (first solar power) in the early US space program.
SRGPS Shipboard Relative GPS (GPS augmentation system for the US Navy. . . . . . . . .
Within the JPALS program, SRGPS represents the shipboard compo-
nent of JPALS. Instead of a precise surveyed point, the reference sta-
tion is installedona ship. Despite the ships motion, a singledifference
calculation between a ship antenna and an aircraft antenna can be
made just as accurately as its shore based counterpart.)
SRI Stanford Research Institute (original designation, founded in 1946), . . . . . . . . . . . .
now: SRI International at Menlo Park, CA. The institute separated
fromthe University for legal reasons, --- SRI International is anonprofit
organization funded by contract research. About 2700 employees.
SRI Systme de Rfrence Inertielle . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRL Space Radar Laboratory (Shuttle missions of SIR---C/X---SAR pay- . . . . . . . . . . .
loads)
SRLL Simple Radio Link Layer (protocol of some AMSAT S/C) . . . . . . . . . .
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands (Stiching Ruimlteonder- . . . . . . . . .
zoek Nederland, Utrecht, Groningen --- the Netherlands), since 1983,
builder of scientific instruments (HXIS, SCIAMACHY, HIFI, etc.)
_____________________
6209) Astriumfully integrates Spot Image and Infoterra into newGEO--- Information business division, Astrium, Dec.
1, 2010, URL: http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press_centre/astrium--- fully--- integrates--- spot--- image--- and---
infoterra--- into--- new--- geo--- information.html
3585
SRSC Siberian Remote Sensing Center, Novosibirsk, Russia . . . . . . . . . .
SRTC Savannah River Technology Center (DOE facility in Aiken, SC, USA) . . . . . . . . . .
SRTM Shuttle Radar Topography Mission, J.27 . . . . . . . . .
SS/CPMA Spread Spectrum/Code Position Multiple Access (communicationcon- . . . . . .
cept)
SSA Space Situational Awareness. SSA is defined as knowing the location . . . . . . . . . . .
and potential function of every object orbiting the Earth --- active or in-
active --- regardless of its size, its purposes, its mission and its status.
SSA ncludes the ability to track and understand what exactly is in orbit
from either space or from the ground.
SSALTO Segment Sol Altimetrie et Orbitographie (a CNES/AVISOgroundseg- . . . . . . .
ment for altimetry satellites)
SSB Single Sideband . . . . . . . . . . .
SSBUV Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (Shuttle Experiment) . . . . . . . .
SSC Swedish Space Corporation (Solna, Sweden; a government---owned . . . . . . . . . . .
limited corporation under the Ministry of Industry, established in
1972).
Note: InJune2011, OHBAGof Bremen, Germany, acquiredtheSpace
Systems Division from SSC. The new company is called OHB Sweden
AB, Stockholm.
6210)
SSC Stennis Space Center (a NASA center in Bay St. Louis, MS) . . . . . . . . . . .
SSCE Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
SSD Spatial Sampling Distance . . . . . . . . . . .
SSDL Space Systems Development Laboratory, since 1994 (at the Depart- . . . . . . . . . .
ment of Aeronautics andAstronautics of StanfordUniversity, Stanford,
CA)
SSEOP Space Shuttle Earth Observation Project . . . . . . . . .
SSEP Student Spaceflight Experiments Program(of NASAto fly experiments . . . . . . . . . .
to the ISS)
SSETI Student Space Exploration and Technology Initiative (ESA education . . . . . . . . .
program, since 2000, participants are various European universities)
SSH Sea Surface Height (measured by satellite altimetry) . . . . . . . . . . .
SSI Spaceport Systems International, operators of the commercial Califor- . . . . . . . . . . . .
nia Spaceport at Vandenberg, CA
SSIP Shuttle Student Involvement Program . . . . . . . . . . .
SS/L Space Systems/Loral, Palo Alto, CA(major US builder of communica- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion satellites, consortium leader of Globalstar series, sensors, etc.).
SS/L is the successor of Ford Aerospace.
SSMA Spread Spectrum Multiple Access (communication transmission tech- . . . . . . . . .
nique) Spread---spectrum modulation is emerging as the technology of
choice to provide secure, interference---tolerant transmission.
SSM/I Special Sensor Microwave/Image (US Department of Defense, US Air . . . . . . . . . .
Force Sensor)
SSMM Solid State Mass Memory (technology) . . . . . . . . .
SSN Space Surveillance Network (of the US Space Command, Colorado . . . . . . . . . . .
Springs, CO). SSN maintains a global catalog of orbit elements for
RSOs (Resident Space Objects).
SSO Sun---Synchronous Orbit . . . . . . . . . . .
SSP Space---based Solar Power (referring to orbiting powersat concepts . . . . . . . . . . . .
that could eventually beam power to Earth)
SSP Sub---Satellite Point . . . . . . . . . . . .
SSPA Solid---State Power Amplifier . . . . . . . . . .
SSPD Superconducting Single Photon Detector . . . . . . . . . .
SSPM Solid---State Photomultiplier (detector type) . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6210) OHBAGacquires Space Systems Division fromSwedish Space Corporation, Space Daily, June 28, 2011, URL:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/OHB_AG_acquires_Space_Systems_Division_from_Swedish_Space_Cor-
poration_999.html
3586
SSPP Shuttle Small Payloads Project . . . . . . . . . .
SRMS ShuttleRemoteManipulator Arm(since 1981, alsoreferredtoas Cana- . . . . . . . . .
darm1), built by Spar Aerospace of Canada
SSR Solid State Recorder . . . . . . . . . . .
SSRMS Space Station Remote Manipulator System (since 2001, provided by . . . . . . . .
CSA, also referred to as Canadarm2)
SSS Sea Surface Salinity . . . . . . . . . . . .
SST Space Solar Telescope (planned Chinese satellite mission in LEO with . . . . . . . . . . . .
a 1 m diameter telescope using a 2048 x 1024 CCD detector array)
SST Satellite---to---Satellite Tracking (a technique employed with two or . . . . . . . . . . . .
more S/C in various orbits for determining the Earths gravity field)
SST Sea Surface Temperature (a physical parameter derived fromradiome- . . . . . . . . . . . .
ter data)
SS---TEC Satellite---to---Satellite TEC (Total Electron Content) of the iono- . . . . . . .
sphere (refractive GPS signal measurements between a GPS receiver
on a satellite and the GPS constellation spacecraft)
SSTI Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (a NASAprogramstarted in94) . . . . . . . . . . .
SSTL Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (University of Surrey, Guildford, UK). . . . . . . . . . .
SSTLis a commercial company whose principal shareholder is the Uni-
versity of Surrey. SSTL was set up in 1985 to provide a commercial out-
let for the Universitys S/C engineering research.
In April 2008, EADS Astrium NV acquired SSTL from the University
of Surrey (approval from the European Commission was given in Dec.
2008). SSTL will remain an independent U.K. company with its indi-
vidual brand, although it will have access to EADS Astriums research
and development, design, manufacturing, and test facilities, as well as
its deeper corporate coffers.
SSTO SuperSynchronous Transfer Orbit. --- By selecting the SSTO (i.e., an . . . . . . . . . .
apogee >higher than GEO), the propellant costs to GEO are signific-
antly reduced. The overall strategy totransfer fromthe SSTOtoGEOis
to perform a bum at apogee to raise the perigee to geosynchronous. A
retrograde burn at the perigee of this ITO (Intermediate Transfer Or-
bit) then lowers the apogee down to geosynchronous.
SST---US LLC Surrey Satellite Technology US LLC. SST---US is located in Engle- . . .
wood, CO, USA. The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Surrey
Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), was established in 2008 to ad-
dress the United States market and its customers for the provision of
small satellite solutions, applications and services.
SSTV Slow Scan TV (a method of transmitting pictures by firstly converting . . . . . . . . . .
the picture elements to a series of varying audio tones. These tones
are then transmitted usually on SSB or sometimes on VHF FM).
SSU Stratospheric Sounding Unit (UK sensor on NOAA S/C) . . . . . . . . . . .
STA Science and Technology Agency (of Japan) . . . . . . . . . . .
STA Space Transportation Association [Washington DC, In March 1998, a . . . . . . . . . . .
NASAstudy onspace tourismwas released(General Space Travel and
Tourism). In response to the reports findings, STA has created a new
Space Travel und Tourism Division (under DOC coordination) to
promote public and private space travel]
STABLE Suppression of Transient Accelerations By Levitation Evaluation . . . . . . .
(Shuttle payload)
STADAN Space Tracking and Data Acquisitions Network (NASA/GSFC) . . . . . . .
STALO Stable Local Oscillator . . . . . . . .
STAR Satellite Technology For The Asia---Pacific Region. The STAR pro- . . . . . . . . . .
gramis aninternational initiative todevelopsmall satellites incollabor-
ation with engineers and researchers from the Asia---Pacific region.
The STAR program was started in 2008 with offices at JAXA.
STAR Synthetic Thinned Aperture Radiometry . . . . . . . . . .
STARE Southern Tropical Atlantic Regional Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
3587
STARNAV Star Navigation Experiment (Shuttle Spacehab experiment to validate . . . . .
a new algorithm for S/C attitude control)
STARSEM A European---Russian payload launch organization (since 1996, Evry, . . . . .
France) that brings together all key players involved in the production
and operation of Soyuz launch vehicles (launches from Baikonur).
STAP Space---Time Adaptive Processing (in radar systems) . . . . . . . . . .
Starlette CNES Solid Earth mission, a passive satellite for geodetic studies with . . . . . . . .
SLR observations (E.19)
STARLink Satellite Telemetry and Return Link (ER---2 telemetry link, see P.81) . . . . . .
STAR---LITE Spectrograph/Telescope for Astronomical Research (Shuttle payload) . . .
START System for Analysis, Research and Training (WCRP, IGBP, HDP) . . . . . . . . .
State Center Priroda Moscow; Scientific and production enterprise for Earth remote
sensing, commercial distributor of imagery; participation in programs:
Resurs---F1, ---F2, Salyut, MIR
STC Sensitive Time Control (SAR antenna parameter) . . . . . . . . . . .
STC Star Tracker Camera . . . . . . . . . . .
STCUI---RAS Scientific Technological Center of Unique Instruments --- Russian . . .
Academy of Sciences (Moscow)
STDN Standard Tracking and Data Network (NASA) . . . . . . . . .
STEDI Student Explorer Demonstration Initiative (N.26) . . . . . . . . .
Stella CNES experiment on---board Spot---3 for gravity field studies of the . . . . . . . . . .
Earth (E.20)
STEM Science Technology Engineering Mathematics. AU.S. educationcoali- . . . . . . . . .
tion to support STEM programs for teachers and students at the U. S.
Department of Education, NSF (National Science Foundation), and
other agencies that offer STEM related programs.
STEM Storable Tubular Extendible Mast (deployable space structure, like . . . . . . . . .
booms, multi ---element antennas, etc.)
STE---QUEST Space---Time Explorer and Quantum Test of the Equivalence Mission . .
(an ESA class M mission proposal for Cosmic Vision 2015---2025).
STE---QUESTis a proposed satellite mission to test the Einstein Equi-
valence Principle to high precision and search for new fundamental
constituents and interactions in the Universe. It will contain an atom
clock and an atom interferometer.
Stentor Satellite de Tlcommunications pour Exprimenter de Nouvelles . . . . . . . . .
Technologies en Orbite [a French GEO communication satellite pro-
gram initiated by DGA (Defence Procurement Agency), France Tele-
com, and French industry (Alcatel Space, EADS, Astrium)].
STEP Satellite Test of the Equivalence Principle, an ESA/NASA program . . . . . . . . . .
proposal (1989). A MiniSTEP mission resulted due to economic
constraints.
STEP Science and Technology for Environmental Protection (CECprogram) . . . . . . . . . .
STEP Solar---Terrestrial Energy Program (International Program) . . . . . . . . . .
STEP Space Test Experiment Platform(aminisatellite bus of TRWInc. andof . . . . . . . . . .
OSC for the DoD STP program)
STEP Stratosphere Troposphere Exchange Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
STERAO Stratosphere---Troposphere Experiments: Radiation, Aerosols, and . . . . . . .
Ozone (campaign)
STEREO Solar---Terrestrial Relations Observatory, K.30 . . . . . . .
STEX Sensor Technology Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . .
STEX Space Technology Experiment (USA, NRO satellite launched Oct. 3, . . . . . . . . . .
1998)
STG---ET Simulationsanlage fr Treibstrahlen Gttingen --- Elektrische Trieb- . . . . . . .
werke (as of Oct. 2011, a DLR vacuum chamber in Gttingen, Ger-
3588
many dedicated for spacecraft electric propulsion research)
6211)
STI---VAST Space Technology Institute of VAST(VietnamAcademy of Science and . . . . .
Technology), Hanoi, Vietnam (created in Nov. 2006)
STI SpaceTech International (since 2004, Immenstaad, Germany) . . . . . . . . . . . .
STIB Stratosphere Troposphere Interactions and the Biosphere (Program) . . . . . . . . . .
STICS Satellite / Terrestrial Integrated Mobile Communication System . . . . . . . . .
STIS Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (new Hubble sensor since Feb. . . . . . . . . . . .
1997)
STJ Superconducting Tunnel Junction . . . . . . . . . . . .
STK Satellite Tool Kit (a physics---based software package from Analytical . . . . . . . . . . .
Graphics, Inc. that allows engineers and scientists to perform complex
analysis of land, sea, air, andspace assets, andshare results inoneinteg-
rated solution)
STL---1 Space Tissue Loss---1 (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
STOIC Stratospheric Ozone Intercomparison Campaign . . . . . . . . .
STORM---FEST Stormscale Operational and Research Meteorology --- Fronts Experi- .
ment Systems Test (campaign)
STP Space Test Program[of DoD, the USAFmanages STP, since 1965; As of . . . . . . . . . . .
2001, STP has flown more than 420 experiments on more than 130 mis-
sions (STEP, POAM---III onSPOT---4, FORTE, REX---II, ARGOSare
some current missions of STP)]
STP Solar Terrestrial Probes (NASA program with such missions as . . . . . . . . . . .
TIMED, SOLAR---B, STEREO, MMS)
STP Solar Thermal Propulsion . . . . . . . . . . .
STPSat---1 Space Test Program Satellite---1 (of DoD) . . . . . .
STP---1 Space Test Payload---1 (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . .
STRAT Stratospheric Tracers of Atmospheric Transport (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
STREAM Stratosphere and Troposphere Experiments by Aircraft Measurements . . . . . .
(campaign)
STRS Space Telecommunications RadioSystem --- a NASAopenarchitecture . . . . . . . . . .
program for SDR (Software Defined Radio)
STS Space Transport System (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . . .
STSat---1 Science and Technology Satellite (of KAIST/SatReC, Korea) . . . . . . .
STSI Space Telescope ScienceInstitute (Baltimore, MD, since1981), alsore- . . . . . . . . . . .
ferred to as STScI. STScI is operating the Hubble Space Telescope. In
the future, STScI will alsobe responsible for JWSTscience andmission
operations, as well as for JWST ground station development. Note:
STSI is managed by AURA(Association of Universities for Astronomy
Research) under contract to NASA
STSP Solar Terrestrial Science Program (ESA). STSP comprises the SOHO . . . . . . . . . .
and CLUSTER missions
STSS Space Tracking and Surveillance System (a program of the US DoD). . . . . . . . . . .
STSS will be a constellation of satellites with both missile warning and
tracking capability. When the constellation is fully deployed, STSS will
providestereo(two---satellite) coverage for determining target position
information. STSS is being designed for an operational capability after
2012.
SUCCESS Subsonic aircraft: Contrail and Clouds Effects Special Study (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
SUMMiT Sandia Ultra---planar Multi ---level MEMS Technology (a MEMS fab- . . . . . . .
ricationprocess developedat SandiaNational Laboratories, Albuquer-
que, NM)
SunSpace SunSpace and Information Systems (Pty) Ltd. is a commercial affiliate . . . . . . .
company of Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa (since
2000). SunSpace developed SumbandilatSat.
_____________________
6211) Simulating space in Gttingen, DLR, Oct. 27, 2011, URL: http://www.dlr.de/dlr/en/desktopdefault.aspx/
tabid--- 10081/151_read--- 1792/year--- 2011/
3589
SUNY State University of New York (Albany, Binghamton, Brockport, Buffa- . . . . . . . . .
lo, Stony Brook, etc.)
SUPARCO Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Karachi, Paki- . . . . .
stan)
SuperDARN Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (an international mostly ground--- . . . .
based distributed radar network for studying the Earths upper atmo-
sphere, ionosphere, and connection into space). Super DARNconsists
of twenty 16 element phased array antennas at both the northern and
southernPolar Regions. They operate inthe HFband between8 and20
MHz and are used to monitor polar convection by measuring coherent
scatter echoes from irregularities in the ionosphere. --- The TIMED
mission of NASAand the CLUSTERmissionof ESAare alsocontribu-
tors to SuperDARN. Coordinated observations since 1993.
SuperMOCA Space Project Mission Operations Control Architecture (a NASApro- . . . .
gram)
SURFSAT---1 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Satellite (NASA/JPL) . . .
SUVE Solar Ultraviolet Experiment (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . .
SVAT Soil ---Vegetation---Atmosphere Transfer (models) . . . . . . . . . .
SVFE Shuttle Vibration Forces Experiment (Shuttle payload on STS---90 and . . . . . . . . . .
STS---96)
SVGA Super Video Graphics Adapter . . . . . . . . .
SVHS Super Video Home System (a tape recorder system) . . . . . . . . . .
SVI Spectral Vegetation Index . . . . . . . . . . . .
SVLBI Space --- Very Long Baseline Interferometry (conducted from satel- . . . . . . . . .
lites)
SVM Support Vector Machine. SVMs represent a new generation learning . . . . . . . . . . .
system based on recent advances in statistical learning theory. SVMs
deliver state---of---the---art performance in real ---world applications.
The SVM technology has found broad application in general machine
learning and classification tasks as well as onboard remote sensing.
SVN Satellite Vehicle NAVSTAR (a GPS series numbering system) . . . . . . . . . . .
SVS Space Vision System (Shuttle camera system for ISS assembly) . . . . . . . . . . .
SWADE Surface Wave Dynamics Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
SWAS Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite (NASA/GSFC) . . . . . . . . . .
SWE Snow Water Equivalence . . . . . . . . . . .
SWH Significant Wave Height (altimetry) . . . . . . . . . .
Swift A NASA astronomy mission (a multi ---wavelength observatory) to . . . . . . . . . . .
study GRBs (Gamma---Ray Burst)
SWIMSAT Surface Waves Investigation and Monitoring from SATellite (a French . . . . . .
proposal submitted to ESA in Oct. 2001)
SWIR Short Wave Infrared (spectrum, from about 1.3 mm to 3 mm) . . . . . . . . . .
SWOT Surface Water Ocean Topography (a wide swath altimetry mission of . . . . . . . . .
NASA)
SwRI Southwest Research Institute (San Antonio, Texas, an independent, . . . . . . . . . .
nonprofit, applied research and development organization with more
than 2,700 employees)
SWUIS Southwest Ultraviolet Imaging System (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . .
SZ Shenzhou (divine ship). The Chinese Shenzhou program is a manned . . . . . . . . . . . .
spacecraft project which started in 1992 (first manned flight Oct. 15,
2003). Four unmanned missions took place: SZ---1 (launch Nov. 20,
1999); SZ---2 (launch Jan. 9, 2001); SZ---3 (launch March 25, 2002);
SZ---4 (launch Dec. 29, 2002).
T
TACAN Tactical Air Communication and Navigation System (a navigation aid, . . . . . . . .
primary Shuttle navigation device for landing, TACAN navigation is
provided for Shuttle within 300 miles of the landing site)
3590
TACCAR Time---Averaged Clutter---Coherent Airborne Radar [a radar tech- . . . . . . .
nique developed at MIT/LL in the early 1950s (to automatically com-
pensate for the Doppler shift of the clutter echo)]
TAI International Atomic Time (standard). A time scale calculated at the . . . . . . . . . . . .
BIPM(Bureau International des Poids et Mesures) using, in 2000, data
from some two hundred atomic clocks in over fifty national laborato-
ries. The scale unit of TAI is kept as close as possible to the SI secondby
using data fromthose national laboratories whichmaintainthe best pri-
mary caesium or cesium (Cs) standards.
TAMEX Taiwan Area Mesoscale Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . .
TANGO Telecommunications Advanced Networks for GMES Operations [an . . . . . . . .
ESA project, led by Astrium, to integrate satellite communication ser-
vices for the GMES(Global Monitoring for Environment andSecurity)
community]
TANS Trimble Advanced Navigation Sensor (TANS Vector is a solid state . . . . . . . . . .
GPS attitude---determination and position---location system)
TAO Terrestrial, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences (bi ---monthly academic . . . . . . . . . . .
journal of Taiwan
TAO Tropical Atmospheric Ocean (TOGA campaign) . . . . . . . . . . .
TAS Technology Applications and Science (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
TAS Thales Alenia Space . . . . . . . . . . .
TAS---E Thales Alenia Space, Espania (a subsidiary of TAS, since 1988) . . . . . . . .
TAS---F Thales Alenia Space, France . . . . . . . .
TAS---I Thales Alenia Space, Italia . . . . . . . . .
TAS---ETCA Thales Alenia Space, Belgium . . . .
TAS Thallium Arsenic Selenide (Tl
3
AsSe
3
) . . . . . . . . . . .
TBD To be defined (or: To be determined) . . . . . . . . . . .
TCIPO TOGA/COAREInternational Project Office (at UCAR, Boulder, CO) . . . . . . . . .
TCM Trellis Coded Modulation (a modulation scheme which allows highly . . . . . . . . . .
efficient transmission of information over band---limited channels)
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (first introduced in . . . . . . . . .
1969). Over the years, TCP/IP has become the dominant approach to
linking computers around the world. TCP/IP represents a communica-
tion framework for other protocols such as: email, FTP, HTTP, SSH
(Secure Shell), voice over IP, other multimedia protocols, teleopera-
tion of remote systems.
Note: the TCP/IP represents two layers of protocol: the TCP part and
the lower level IP part. IP deals with how the data gets routed around
the network. TCPdeals with making sure that all the packets arrive and
are inthe correct order. TCPimplies a two---way connectionandahigh-
er level of communications overhead to assure that all the packets ar-
rive and are in the correct order.
TCS Thomson---CSFSemiconducteurs Spcifiques, Orsay, France. Note: In . . . . . . . . . . .
Dec. 2000, Thomson CSF changed its name to THALES Group
TCS Trajectory Control Sensor (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
TCXO Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator . . . . . . . . .
T&DR Tracking and Data Relay (NOAA) . . . . . . . . .
T---DAB Terrestrial --- Digital Audio Broadcast . . . . . . . .
TDI Time Delay Integration(a cumulative exposure concept for CCDimag- . . . . . . . . . . .
ing which integrates a pixels electron charges to suppress the readout
noise) observation mode
TDL Tunable Diode Laser (spectrometer; TDLs are suited for detection of . . . . . . . . . . .
trace gases by optical absorption)
TDLAS Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectrometer . . . . . . . .
TDMA Time Division Multiple Access (modulation scheme) . . . . . . . . .
TDRSS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (NASA) . . . . . . . .
TEA Transverse Excitation Atmospheric (pressure) laser . . . . . . . . . . .
3591
TEAMS Technology Experiments Advancing Missions in Space (Shutte) . . . . . . . .
TEC Thermoelectric Cooler . . . . . . . . . . .
TEC Total Electron Content (of ionosphere) . . . . . . . . . . .
Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel . . . . . . .
TEDS Radio TETRA Enhanced Data Service Radio . . . .
TEKES National Technology Agency of Finland(Helsinki). TEKESis the main . . . . . . . .
public financing andexpert organizationfor researchandtechnological
development in Finland.
Telespazio Italianspace company (since 1962) withHQinRome. Telespaziomain- . . . . . .
tains a space center in Fucino, Italy for civilian uses.
TEMISAT Telespazio Micro Satellite (see C.8) . . . . . .
TeO
2
Tellurium dioxide . . . . . . . . . . .
TerraServer A joint venture of Aerial Images Inc., Raleigh, NC; Microsoft Corp., . . . . .
Redmond, WA; Compaq Computer Corp., Houston, TX; and Eastman
Kodak Co., Rochester, NY. TerraServer is a commercial service of
spaceborne and airborne imagery provision via internet. The imagery
offered comes froma variety of sources (commercial andinstitutional).
TERRIERS Tomographic Experiment using Radioactive Recombinative Iono- . . . .
spheric EUV (STEDI mission, N.26.2)
TERS Tropical Earth Resources Satellite [a joint program conceived by the . . . . . . . . . .
Netherlands (NIVR) andIndonesia (LAPAN) in 1985, the programgot
stalled after phase A because of a lack of funds]
TERSS Tasmanian Earth Resources Satellite Station (Hobart, Australia) . . . . . . . . .
TES Technology Experiment Satellite (ISRO) with a mass of 1108 kg in . . . . . . . . . . .
sun---synchronous orbit (launch Oct. 22. 2001 fromSHAR, India). TES
carries experiments in the fields of Earth observation and communica-
tions. Imagery of 1 m spatial resolution is obtained.
TES Thermal Energy Storage (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
Tesat---Spacecom Tesat---Spacecom GmbH, Backnang, Germany; builder of satellite
communication subsystems and payloads (TWTAs, SILEX, LCTs,
etc.). TESAT is the former Bosch Satcom, former Bosch Telecom, for-
mer ANT Nachrichtentechnik, former AEG Telefunken, former AEG
Fernmeldetechnik (1949)
TESEO Treaty Enforcement Services using Earth Observation (ESAprogram) . . . . . . . .
TES Transition---Edge Sensor (superconducting TES technology represents . . . . . . . . . . .
a significant advance in infrared imaging)
TETRA Terrestrial Trunked Radio, (the first truly open standard for the digital . . . . . . . .
mobile radio system)
TFC Thin Film on CMOS (technology) . . . . . . . . . . .
TFOV Total Field of View . . . . . . . . .
TGARSS Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing (IEEE publication) . . . . . . .
TGDF Turbulent Gas---Jet Diffusion Flames (Shuttle Experiment) . . . . . . . . .
TGF Terrestrial Gamma---ray Flash (a new type of transient event in Earths . . . . . . . . . . .
atmosphere above thunderstorms, first recorded from the Compton
Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) satellite of NASA in 1994)
THEA Thousand Element Array [an international project; a phased---array . . . . . . . . .
ground---based radio telescope demonstrator with 256 broadband re-
ceiving elements inpreparationfor SKA(Square Kilometer Array), de-
signed and located at Astron, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands]
THEOS Thailand Earth Observation System (an optical imaging S/C) . . . . . . . .
TID Total Ionizing Dose (of an electronic component, measured on krad) . . . . . . . . . . .
TIFF Tagged Image File Format (a raster format inpixel representationused . . . . . . . . . .
for scanned images)
TIFR TATA Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai (Bombay), India . . . . . . . . . .
TIMED Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics . . . . . . . .
(A.31)
TiN Titanium nitride . . . . . . . . . . . .
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TIP TIROS (or Telemetry) Information Processor (on---board POES S/C, . . . . . . . . . . . .
also a downlink data stream of NOAA S/C)
TIPPs Trans---Ionospheric Pulse Pairs (These strange signals, observed on . . . . . . . . . .
ALEXIS, are the most intense radio sources from Earth which can be
much stronger than typical lightning)
TIR Thermal Infrared (spectrum, from 6 mm to about 14 mm) . . . . . . . . . . .
TIROS Television and Infrared Observation Satellite (US Environmental/Me- . . . . . . . . .
teorological Remote Sensing Program; TIROS 1---10 =1st generation,
ESSA 1---9 = 2nd generation, ITOS (TIROS---M) = 3rd generation,)
TIROS---N TIROS---NOAA (4th generation TIROS satellite series, starting with . . . . .
NOAA---6, ---7, ---8, etc.)
TKSC Tsukuba Space Center, located Tsukuba Science City, Japan (since . . . . . . . . . .
1972)
TLD Thermoluminescent Dosimeter (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
TLE Transient Luminous Event (such as lightning) . . . . . . . . . . .
TLE Two Line Elements (used for early orbit determination) . . . . . . . . . . .
TLM Telemetry (also abbreviated as TM) . . . . . . . . . . .
TMA Three Mirror Anastigmatic (telescope off---axis design method). Note: . . . . . . . . . .
the term anastigmatic refers to lenses that are able to form approxi-
mately point images of target (object) points.
TMIBD Thermocapillary Migration and Interaction of Bubbles and Droplets . . . . . . . .
(Spacelab experiment)
TMIP TeleMedicine Instrumentation Pack (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
TMSAT Thai MicroSatellite, was renamed to Thai---Paht---1 (D.62.15) . . . . . . . .
TMT Thirty---Meter Telescope [a collaborative PPP project of CalTech, the . . . . . . . . . .
University of California, AURA (Association of Universities for Re-
search in Astronomy), and ACURA (Association of Canadian
Universities for Research in Astronomy)]. The TMT is a ground---
based facility, the telescope design is segmented (492 hexagonal ---
shapedmirror segments), operations are plannedtostart in 2016. Note:
The TMTs AO(Adaptive Optics) systemwas successfully tested and is
ready to become actual hardware as of May 2009. The AO component,
known as the Tip---Tilt Stage, will work in tandem with a deformable
mirror to correct for the blurring of Earths atmosphere.
TNC Terminal Node Controller (a communication concept first developed . . . . . . . . . . .
by the amateur radio community in 1980).
TNO/FEL Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research/Physics and . . . . . .
Electronics Laboratory (The Hague and Delft, The Netherlands)
TNO/TPD TNO/TPD (Delft) is one of 14 institutes of TNO in the field of optical . . . . . .
instrumentation. Note: As of 2005, TNO/TPDwas renamed TNOSci-
ence and Industry
TNSC Tanegashima Space Center (JAXAs launch site at Tanegashima Island, . . . . . . . . . .
Japan, located at 30.4 N, 131.0 E)
TOA Top---of---Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . .
TOF Time---of---Flight (measurement) . . . . . . . . . . .
TOGA Tropical Oceans and Global Atmosphere Experiment (Program) . . . . . . . . .
TOGA/COARE Tropical Oceans andGlobal Atmosphere Experiment / CoupledOcean .
Atmosphere Response Experiment
TOGA/TAO TOGA/Tropical Atmosphere---Ocean (array of wind and upper ocean . . . .
thermistor chain moorings in the Tropical Pacific)
TOGA/WOCE TOGA/World Ocean Circulation Experiment . .
TOMS NASA missions (A.32) . . . . . . . . .
TOPEX/Poseidon Topography Experiment for OceanCirculation(NASA/CNESEOMis-
sion)
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TOPS Terrain Observation with Progressive Scan (a novel SAR operations . . . . . . . . . .
mode based on ScanSAR) Note: the terms TOPS and SAR is simply
contracted to TOPSAR
TOS The Oceanography Society (USA, since 1988) . . . . . . . . . . .
TOS TIROS Operational System (NOAA) . . . . . . . . . . .
TOVS TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (NOAA, a three instrument sys- . . . . . . . . . .
tem consisting of : HIRS---2; SSU; and the MSU, TOVS data since
1979); Note: ATOVS = Advanced TOVS (a NOAA/NESDIS process-
ing system)
TPCE Tank Pressure Control Equipment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
TPF Terrestrial Planet Finder (planned NASA mission) . . . . . . . . . . .
TPF Two Phase Flow (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . . .
TPFLEX Two---Phase Fluid Loop Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . .
TPFO TOPEX/POSEIDON Follow---On (mission, was renamed to Jason) . . . . . . . . . .
T---POD Tokyo --- Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (a smallsat deployer systemde- . . . . . . . .
veloped by ISSL of the University of Tokyo, Japan)
TRAC Triangular Rollable And Collapsible) mast, [a deployable boom . . . . . . . . .
concept invented and developed at AFRL (Air Force Research Labor-
atory)]
TRACE---A Transport and Atmospheric Chemistry near the Equator --- Atlantic . . . . .
(campaign)
TRAGEX Trace Gas Exchange: Mid---Latitude Terrestrial Ecosystems andAtmo- . . . . . .
sphere (IGBP/IGAC program)
TRANSHAB An inflatable systemNASAis considering for use on the ISS starting in . . . .
2004
TREE Tropical Rain---Forest Ecology Experiment (campaign) . . . . . . . . .
TREES Tropical Ecosystem Environment Observation by Satellites (Joint . . . . . . . .
CEC, JRC and ESA program
TRIAD Transit---Improved DISCOS (US Navy S/C built by APL) H.7 . . . . . . . .
TriDAR Triangulation+LIDAR --- a 3Dsensor andefficient model basedtrack- . . . . . . . .
ing algorithms to provide 6 degree of freedom(6DOF) relative pose in-
formation in realtime. The active vision systemfor rendezvous &dock-
ing was developed by Netec and CSA (Canada) and was first flown on
STS---128 in Aug. 2009
TRIO Temperature RIO (Remote Input/Output), a smart sensor chip (a mul- . . . . . . . . . .
tiplexed ADC+other)
TRIPS Tera---op, Reliable, Intelligently adaptive Processing System ( a new . . . . . . . . .
computer architecture, developed at the University of Texas, Austin,
TX). The TRIPS prototype was introduced in May 2007. TRIPS is a
demonstration of a newclass of processing architectures called Explicit
Data Graph Execution (EDGE).
TRL Technology Readiness Level. TRLis a measuretoassess the maturity of . . . . . . . . . . .
evolving technologies (materials, components, devices, etc.) prior toin-
corporating that technology into a system or subsystem.
TRL---1 = Basic principles observed and reported
TRL---6 = System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a
relevant environment (ground or space)
TRL---9 =Actual systemflight proven throughsuccessful missionop-
erations.
TRMM Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (NASA---NASDAMission), A.34 . . . . . . . .
TRSC Thailand Remote Sensing Center, Bangkok . . . . . . . . . .
TRW Thompson, Ramo and Wooldridge [TRW Space & Electronics Group . . . . . . . . . .
is located at Redondo Beach, CA; TRW HQs in Cleveland, OH].
Manufacturer of communication satellites (TDRS, Odyssey series),
military spacecraft (STEP, AXAF, etc.), and remote sensing satellites
(Lewis, EOS/PM---1, TOMS/EP, KOMPSAT---1, ROCSat---1, Aqua,
Terra, Chandra X---Ray Observatory, etc.). Note: Los Angeles based
Northrop Grumman purchased TRW in Dec. 2002.
3594
TSAT Transformational Communications Satellite (of DoD) . . . . . . . . . .
TSI Total Solar Irradiance . . . . . . . . . . . .
TSIM Total Solar Irradiance Mission . . . . . . . . . .
TsNIIMASH Central Research Institute of Machine Building, Korelev (MoscowRe- . . . .
gion), Russia (launch vehicle provider)
TsSKB---Progress the Russian acronym for Central Specialized Design Bureau Prog-
ress, Samara Space Center (on the Volga River, 1000 km southeast of
Moscow), builder of Resurs---F(and Resurs---DK) satellite series. Also
builder of the famous Soyuz rocket series.
TSS---1R Tethered Satellite System (ASI payload on Shuttle) . . . . . . .
TsUP Russian MCC (Mission Control Center) near Moscow. TsUP has con- . . . . . . . . . .
trolledthe RussianManned MissionProgramsince about 1970 (includ-
ing MIR, ISS, etc. as well as normal EO missions).
TT&C Telemetry, Tracking & Command (Data for S/C Operations) . . . . . . . . .
TTFM Two---Tone Frequency Modulation(a measurement technique for trace . . . . . . . . .
gases)
TTL Transistor---Transistor Logic (semiconductor technology of the 1960s . . . . . . . . . . .
and 1970s --- the microprocessor revolution began in 1973)
TUB Technical University of Berlin, Germany . . . . . . . . . . .
TUBSAT Technical University of Berlin Satellite (N.31) . . . . . . .
TBITAK UZAY TUBITAK---UZAY (Scientific and Technological Research Council of
Turkey --- Space Technologies Research Institute), Ankara, Turkey
(since 1984). In 2206, the former BILTEN was renamed to UZAY
(Space Technologies ResearchInstitute). TBITAKitself was founded
in 1963; it is the leading agency for management, funding and conduct
of research in Turkey.
TUD Technical University of Denmark (Lyngby, Denmark) . . . . . . . . . .
TUFI Toughened Uni ---Piece Fibrous Insulation (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . . .
TUI Tethers Unlimited Inc., Lynnwood,WA, USA (since 1994) . . . . . . . . . . .
TUK Turk Uzay Kurumu (Turkish Space Agency, since 2004) . . . . . . . . . . .
TVA Tennessee Valley Authority (USA) . . . . . . . . . . .
TWSTFT Two---Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer (an accurate time . . . . . . .
measurement technique)
TWTA Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier (communication, amplificationof a mi- . . . . . . . . .
crowave frequency)
U
UAH University of Alabama in Huntsville, AL . . . . . . . . . .
UARP Upper Atmospheric Research Program (NASA) . . . . . . . . .
UARS Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (NASA satellite, launch: Sept. . . . . . . . . .
1991) A.35
UART Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter . . . . . . . . .
UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (PERSEUS, CONDOR, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . .
UC University of California [a nine campus university across the state, . . . . . . . . . . . .
UCLA (Los Angeles), UCB (Berkeley), UCSD (San Diego), UCSB
(Santa Barbara), UCI (Irvine), UCR(Riverside), UCSC(Santa Cruz),
UCD (Davis), etc.]
UCAR University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (Boulder, CO, . . . . . . . . .
UCARis sponsored by NSF --- there are over 60 member institutions in
UCAR)
UCB/SSL University of California, Berkeley/Space Sciences Laboratory (since . . . . . . .
1959)
UCCS University of Colorado at Colorado Springs . . . . . . . . .
UCLA University of California, Los Angeles . . . . . . . . .
UDP/IP User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol. Note: UDP/IP does not . . . . . . . .
needany handshaking totransfer data. TCP/IPrequires bi ---directional
handshaking prior to data transfer.
3595
UFO UHF Follow---On (US DoDcommunication satellite series for tactical . . . . . . . . . .
communications). The constellation, consisting of eight active space-
craft plus an in---orbit spare, supports the Navys global communica-
tions network, serving ships at sea and a variety of other US military
fixed and mobile terminals.
UHB User Home Base . . . . . . . . . .
UHF Ultra High Frequency (300 --- 3000 MHz band) . . . . . . . . . .
UHMWPE Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (a very tough fabric) . . . . .
UIT Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (part of ASTRO---1 payload on Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
UIT Union Internationale des Tlcommunications . . . . . . . . . . .
UKAEA United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority . . . . . . . .
UKDoE United Kingdom Department of the Environment . . . . . . . .
UKMO United Kingdom Meteorological Office (same as BMO, HQs and . . . . . . . .
Hadley Centre for ClimatePrediction&ResearcharelocatedinBrack-
nell, Remote Sensing Instrumentation branch in Farnborough)
UKS United Kingdom Subsatellite (S/C of the AMPTE mission, K.4.2) . . . . . . . . . . .
UKSA United Kingdom Space Agency (since April 1, 2010 --- up to this point . . . . . . . . .
UK space policy has been split between government departments).
UKSA is replacing the former BNSC (British National Space Centre).
ULA United Launch Alliance (since Dec. 2006). ULA is a joint venture . . . . . . . . . . .
between Boeing and Lockheed Martin that operates space launch sys-
tems using the Atlas V, Delta II, and Delta IV.
ULF Ultra Low Frequency. The designation ULF usually refers to waves . . . . . . . . . . .
with frequencies less than 1 Hz. Waves with frequencies in the mHz
range have scale sizes comparable tothe size of Earths magnetosphere
and are therefore strongly affected by the magnetospheric structure.
ULF Utility and Logistics Flight (Shuttle missions to ISS) . . . . . . . . . .
ULIRGs Ultra---Luminous IR Galaxies . . . . . . .
UMRR Universal Medium Range Radar . . . . . . . .
UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (standard, 3rd genera- . . . . . . . . .
tion system, defined in Europe)
UNAM Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico, Mexico City . . . . . . . .
UNAM---CE Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico --- Centro de Ecologica, . . . .
Mexico
UNAM---IG Universidad Nacional Autnoma de Mxico --- Institoto de Geologica . . . .
UNAVCO University Navstar Consortium(a US Earthsciences community initia- . . . . . .
tive to foster GPS applications in particular in the area of surveying)
UNCED United Nations Conference on Environment & Development . . . . . . .
UNDP United Nations Development Programme . . . . . . . . .
UNAVCO University NAVSTAR Consortium (USA) . . . . . .
UNCOPUOS---STSC UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space---Scientific
and Technical Subcommittee
UNEP United Nations Environmental Programme (since 1972) . . . . . . . . .
UNEP/GRID UNEP Global Resource Information Database . . .
UNESCO United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization . . . . . .
(based in Paris, France)
UN---ESCAP UN---Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Bang- . . . .
kok, Thailand
UnESS University Earth System Science (a NASA initiative with the objective . . . . . . . . .
to involve the student community in Earth science projects)
UNEX University---class Explorer [(mission) --- A NASA program supporting . . . . . . . . .
university---designed/developed missions. The UNEX program is de-
signed to provide frequent flight opportunities for highly focused and
relatively inexpensive science missions whose total cost toNASAis lim-
ited to $13 million. The program is managed by NASA/GSFC.]. The
3596
first UNEXmission to orbit was CHIPSat (launch Jan. 13, 2003), a mi-
crosatellite of UCB (University of California at Berkeley).
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Kyoto . . . . . .
Protocol, Copenhagen Conference)
UNH University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH . . . . . . . . . .
UNISEC University Space Engineering Consortium (since 2002), a non---profit . . . . . . .
Japanese organization with the objective to support practical space de-
velopment activities in universities and colleges
UNISPACE United Nations Conference on the Exploration of the Committee on . . . . .
the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UNISPACE---III took place inVien-
na, Austria (July 19---30, 1999 --- the first two UNISPACE conferences
were held in 1968 and 1982)
United Solar United Solar Power Corporation of Troy, MI (called United Solar) was . . . .
founded in 1990 by Energy Conversion Devices Inc. (ECD) and Canon
Inc. (UNI---Solar as of 2000). Manufacturer of PVdevices, developer of
FTFPV (Flexible Thin---Film Photovoltatics).
UNOLS University National Oceanographic Laboratory System (USA) . . . . . . . .
UNOOSA United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (Vienna, Austria) . . . . . .
UNOSAT UNInstitute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Operational Satel- . . . . . . .
lite Applications Program --- implemented in cooperation with the
European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). UNOSAT is a
humanitarian rapid mapping service, created in 2003, used by the UN
relief and coordination agencies.
UNP University Nanosatellite Program (USA, since 1998). The UNP is a . . . . . . . . . . .
partnership between the Air Force Office of Scientific Research
(AFOSR), the Air Force ResearchLaboratory (AFRL), and the Amer-
icanInstitute of Aeronautics andAstronautics (AIAA). The objectiveis
to help train engineering students at US universities in satellite design,
fabrication, and testing by requiring them to build the satellite them-
selves through the mentorship of their faculty at the university.
6212)
6213)
UNS Universal Navigation System . . . . . . . . . . .
UN---SPIDER United Nations --- Platformfor Space---based Information for Disaster . . .
Management and Emergency Response (since 2007)
UoSAT University of Surrey Satellite (UK, D.62) . . . . . . . . .
UPC Universidad Politcnica de Catalunya, Barcelona (Spain) . . . . . . . . . . .
UPM Universidad Politcnica de Madrid (Spain) . . . . . . . . . .
UQPSK Unbalanced Quadrature Phase---Shift Keying ( technique) . . . . . . . .
URE User Range Error (of GPS position service) . . . . . . . . . .
URFC Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell [URFC is generically a water--- . . . . . . . . .
based technology for space applications (with options for S/C propul-
sion, power, energy storage)]
URL UniformResource Locator (WWW) for file:, http:, news:, and tel- . . . . . . . . . . .
net:
URSI Union Radio Scientifique Internationale (International Union of Ra- . . . . . . . . . .
dio Science), Secretariat at Ghent University, Belgium
USA United States of America . . . . . . . . . . .
USA United Space Alliance LLC [of Houston, TX, a joint venture of Rock- . . . . . . . . . . .
well International (now The Boeing Company) and Lockheed Martin]
--- USAis the NASAprime contractor for all Space Shuttle operations/
management at MSFC and at KSC, since Oct. 1996)
USACE US Army Corps of Engineers . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6212) David Voss, Jared Clements, Kelly Cole, Melody Ford, Christopher Handy, Abbie Stovall, Real Science, Real
Education: The University Nanosat Program, Proceedings of the 25th Annual AIAA/USUConference on Small
Satellites, Logan, UT, USA, Aug. 8--- 11, 2011, paper: SSC11--- XII--- 1
6213) Kelly Alexander, University Nanosat Program, 9
th
Annual Spring CubeSat Developers Workshop, Cal Poly
State University, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA, April 18--- 20, 2012, URL: http://mstl.atl.calpoly.edu/~bklofas/
Presentations/DevelopersWorkshop2012/Alexander_UNP.pdf
3597
USAF US Air Force . . . . . . . . . .
USAFA United States Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs, CO) . . . . . . . .
USAFB US Air Force Base . . . . . . . .
USAF/PL USAF/Phillips Laboratory, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM [part of . . . . . . .
AFRL(Air Force ResearchLaboratory), note: in1998the Phillips Lab-
oratory was renamed: Phillips Research Site]
USAF/RL USAF/Rome Laboratory, Griffiss AFB, Rome, NY [part of AFRL] . . . . . .
USAF/SMC USAF/Space & Missile Systems Center (see SMC/TE) . . . . .
USAKA U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll (launch site in the central Pacific Ocean) . . . . . . . .
USArray United States Seismic Array (within the framework of EarthScope) . . . . . . .
USART Universal Synchronous/Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (chip) . . . . . . . .
USASMDC/ARSTRAT US Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces
Strategic Command, Huntsville, AL (Redstone Arsenal)
USB Unified S---band. Refers to the NASA and NOAA TT&C de---facto . . . . . . . . . . .
communication link standard in use (S---band on frequencies around
2.2. GHz). The system was developed at JPL combining telemetry,
tracking (ranging), command, voice andTVtransmissionfunctions into
a single antenna.
USB Universal Serial Bus (connectors) . . . . . . . . . . .
USCG US Coast Guard . . . . . . . . .
USCON---CICTUS Universidad de Sonora --- Centro de Investigaciones Cientificas y
Tecnologicas de la Universidad de Sonora, Hermosillo, Mexico
USDA US Department of Agriculture . . . . . . . . .
USDA/ARS USDA/Agricultural ResearchService (Beltsville, MDandTucson, AZ) . . . . .
USEF Institute for Unmanned Space Experiment Free Flyer; USEF is of To- . . . . . . . . . .
kyo, Japan(since 1986) USEFs organizational goal is topromotespace
utilization and the industrialization of space.
USEPA US Environmental Protection Agency . . . . . . . .
USES Universal Source Encoder for Space (a NASA developed chipset) . . . . . . . . . .
USFS US Forest Service . . . . . . . . . .
USFWS US Fish and Wildlife Service . . . . . . . .
USGCRP USGlobal Change ResearchProgram(since1990). USGCRPsponsors . . . . . . .
global change research in a large number of institutions (over 300).
USGIF United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (since 2003) . . . . . . . . .
USGS United States Geological Survey (the science and technology agency of . . . . . . . . . .
the Department of the Interior, DOI; USGS was established in 1879).
The mission of USGS is to provide geologic, topographic, and hydro-
graphic information to contribute to the management of the Nations
natural resources.
USML US Microgravity Laboratory (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
USMP US Microgravity Payload (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
USN Universal Space Network. USNis a USservice provider inspaceopera- . . . . . . . . . . .
tions and GNS (Ground Network Services) providing global coverage.
USNO United States Naval Observatory (Washington DC, established in . . . . . . . . .
1830)
USO Ultra Stable Clock (onboard reference) . . . . . . . . . . .
USRA Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD [a nonprofit . . . . . . . . .
corporation organized in 1969 by NAS (National Academy of Sciences)
at the request of NASA; as of 1995 there are 78 member universities]
USRP2 Universal Software Radio Peripheral 2. USRP2 is an extremely flexible . . . . . . . . .
USBdevice that connects a PCto the RF world. It can be programmed
totransmit or receive any signal whichis withinthe frequency rangeand
bandwidthof the radioand antennas. The USRP2 uses modular daugh-
terboards which allow it to communicate over a wide range of frequen-
cies. A combination of three USRP2s with di erent daughterboards
would permit communications in all five of the amateur satellite bands.
USS Unique Support Structure (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
3598
USSR Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (former) . . . . . . . . . .
USSS University Space Systems Symposium (a forum for Japanese and US . . . . . . . . . .
universities to develop and extend collaborative projects involving the
design, fabrication, and operation of aerospace systems, USSS started
in 1998)
USU/SDL Utah State University / Space Dynamics Laboratory (Logan, UT, Bed- . . . . . .
ford, MA, and Albuquerque, NM). SDL is a non---profit organization
owned by USU.
USWRP US Weather Research Program . . . . . . . .
UTA University of Texas at Austin . . . . . . . . . . .
UTA/CSR UTA/Center for Space Research (since 1981) . . . . . .
UTC Universal Time Coordinated (since 1972) . . . . . . . . . . .
UTIAS/SFL University of Toronto, Institute for Aerospace studies/Space Flight . . . . .
Laboratory, Toronto, Canada
UTIAS/MSTC University of Toronto, Institute for Aerospace studies / Microsatellite . .
Science and Technology Center, Toronto, Canada (since 2010, funding
was provided by the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the
Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation)
6214)
UTJ Ultra Triple Junction (solar cells of SpectroLab with an efficiency of . . . . . . . . . . .
28.3%)
UTM Universal Transverse Mercator (coordinate reference system for . . . . . . . . . .
large---scale maps)
UV Ultra Violet (spectral range from 0.01 --- 0.38 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . .
UVCS Ultraviolet Coronal Spectrometer (a SAO instrument flown on the . . . . . . . . .
SPARTAN---201 series)
UVPI Ultraviolet Plume Instrument (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . . . .
UVSTAR Ultraviolet Spectrograph Telescope for Astronomical Research . . . . . . .
(Shuttle payload)
UWB Ultra Wideband (involves multi ---octave frequency coverage of a sen- . . . . . . . . . .
sor suchas a radar systemfor thepurpose of groundpenetration). UWB
radar systems use signals with a bandwidth >25% of the center fre-
quency.
V
V---2 Vengeance---2 (Vergeltung---2) a German rocket during WW2. V---2 . . . . . . . . . . .
was a liquid fuel rocket with a mass of about 12900 kg. The V---2 attack
on London started in Sept. 1994. V---2 was preceded by a smaller V---1,
a pilotless pulse---jet propelled flying bomb of about 2200 kg mass at
launch.
VAFB Vandenberg Air Force Base, Vandenberg, CA . . . . . . . . . .
VAST VietnamAcademy of Science andTechnology (since 1975, Hanoi, Viet- . . . . . . . . . .
nam)
VCL Vegetation Canopy Lidar Mission . . . . . . . . . . .
VCO Voltage Controlled Oscillator . . . . . . . . . .
VCR Video Cassette Recorder (also: Video Color Recorder) . . . . . . . . . . .
VCS Voice Command System (Shuttle) . . . . . . . . . . .
VCSEL Vertical Cavity Surface---Emitting Laser---diode (type of semiconduc- . . . . . . . .
tor diode laser; the cavity is perpendicular to the wafer plane, thus the
optical beam is guided in the vertical direction)
VCSI Von Braun Center for Science Innovation (Huntsville, AL). A not--- . . . . . . . . . .
for---profit R&D (Research & Development) center.
VCXO Voltage Controlled Crystal Oscillator (onboard clock) . . . . . . . . .
VDA Vapor Deposited Aluminum (an insulation layer in spacecraft design) . . . . . . . . . .
VDA VHF Collection System Antenna (NOAA) . . . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6214) Robert E. Zee, Microsatellite Science andTechnology Center: Canadas Center for Microspace Innovation,Pro-
ceedings of ASTRO 2010, 15
th
CASI (Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute) Conference, Toronto, Canada,
May 4--- 6, 2010, URL: ftp://casi:ASTRO2010@astroconference.ca/../Papers/052_Zee_ASTRO2010.pdf
3599
VDC Volt Direct Current . . . . . . . . . .
VENTEX Venting Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
VERSIM VLF/ELFRemote Sensing of Ionospheres andMagnetospheres. VER- . . . . . . .
SIMis an international group of scientists interested in studying the be-
havior of the magnetosphere and ionosphere by means of ELF (300 Hz
--- 3 kHz) and VLF (3---30 kHz) radio waves. VERSIM was set up by
IAGA/URSI in 1975.
VFT---1 Visual Function Tester---1 (Shuttle experiment) . . . . . . . .
VGA Video Graphics Array . . . . . . . . . .
VH Vertical transmit --- Horizontal receive polarization . . . . . . . . . . . .
VHDL VHSIC (Very High Speed Integrated Circuit) Hardware Description . . . . . . . . .
Language
VHF Very High Frequency (30 --- 300 MHz band) . . . . . . . . . . .
VHS Video Home System . . . . . . . . . . .
VI Vegetation Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Viking Swedish satellite mission for the study of the Earths magnetosphere, . . . . . . . . .
K.33
VIR Visible Infrared (spectrum) . . . . . . . . . . .
VIS Visible (spectrum 0.4 --- 0.7 mm) . . . . . . . . . . . .
VISTA VisibleandInfraredSurvey Telescopefor Astronomy (ESO, a4 maper- . . . . . . . . .
ture telescope, at the Paranal Observatory in Chile, built by a consorti-
um of the UK, since 2009)
VITA Volunteers inTechnical Assistance (a humanitarianorganization inAr- . . . . . . . . . .
lington, VA, USA, providing communication services on a global scale)
VITO Vlaamse instelling voor technologisch onderzoek (Flemish institute for . . . . . . . . . .
technological research), located in northern Belgium. One of its cen-
ters is the image processing/archiving center of the VEGETATIONin-
strument on the SPOT missions.
viz. Latin, a contractionof the termvidelicet, towit; anadverb ; as follows . . . . . . . . . . . .
[syn: namely, that is to say]
VLA Very Large Array (USA), an aperture synthesis array, was built by the . . . . . . . . . . .
National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) near Socorro, New
Mexico (USA) in a Y---shape consisting of 27 antennas.
Note: In January 2012, the VLA received a new name. It is now called
the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array to honor the founder of radio
astronomy.
6215)
VLBA Very Long Baseline Array, USA (a continent---wide radio---telescope . . . . . . . . .
system, to make a direct trigonometric measurement of the distance)
VLBI Very Long Baseline Interferometry (predominantly used in the radio . . . . . . . . . .
astronomy and geodesy community). VLBI is used for the determina-
tion of the angular position of interplanetary probes.
VLDS Very Large Data Store . . . . . . . . . .
VLF Very Low Frequency (frequency band of 10 --- 30 kHz) . . . . . . . . . . .
VLS VeiculoLancador de Satellites (Brazils launchvehicle). Note: The first . . . . . . . . . . .
two VLS flights, in Nov. 1997 and Dec. 1998, were failures. On Aug. 22,
2003, a VLSrocket explodedonthe launch padas it was being prepared
for an upcoming launch.
VLSI Very Large Scale Integration (solid---state technology) . . . . . . . . . .
VLT Very Large Telescope [of ESO (European Southern Observatory) in . . . . . . . . . . .
Chile, consisting of four telescopes (each 8.2 m in diameter), the tele-
scopes are separately mounted and idely spaced for resolutions of up to
2 marcsec (milliarcseconds) over a FOV of about 1 arcsec, interfero-
metric applications of VLT]. Operations of VLT started in 2002. The
VLT is regarded the worlds most advanced optical instrument.
VLWIR Very Long Wavelength Infrared (14---30 mm) . . . . . . . .
_____________________
6215) Nancy Atkinson, IconicTelescope Array Gets aNewName,Universe Today, Jan. 11, 2012, URL: http://www.uni-
versetoday.com/92520/iconic--- telescope--- array--- gets--- a--- new--- name/
3600
VMEbus VersaModule Eurocard bus (ISO/IEC15776 standard, 1998). A high--- . . . . . . .
performance bus (co---designed by Motorola, and based on Motorolas
1981 Versa---Bus standard) for constructing versatileindustrial andmil-
itary computers, where multiple memory, peripheral, and even micro-
processor cards couldbe pluggedintoa passiverack or cardcageto
facilitate customsystemdesigns. Typical data transfer rate of 50 MByte/
second (64 bits wide).
VMOC Virtual Mission Operation Center (a platform independent facility of . . . . . . . . .
NASA/GSFC, support of distributedspacecraft commandandcontrol).
VMOCis alsoaUSintergovernmental initiative (includingDoD) toex-
ploit IP (Internet Protocol) based systems in space. --- VMOCis a soft-
ware based platformto incubate, mature, and transition newand relev-
ant technologies and concepts of operations via continuous operational
experimentation. The original VMOC concept began in 2000. --- The
VMOC capability allows cross---system queuing of dissimilar mission
unique systems through the use of a common security scheme and pub-
lished APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
6216)
VNIIEF All ---Russian Federal Nuclear Center (Moscow, since 1946) . . . . . . . .
VNIIEM All ---Russian Scientific and Research Institute of Electromechanics . . . . . . .
(Moscow; S/C builder/integrator, Meteor series, Okean series, Resurs
series, GOMS, etc. also referred to as: NPP VNIIEM). Background:
the enterprise was funded in 1941, in 1944 it was named Science and
Research Institute #627 or NII---627. In 1953, NII---627 was renamed
toVNIIEM. Inthe early 1960s, VNIIEMbegantodevelopmeteorolog-
ical spacecraft, using an innovative electromechanical stabilizationsys-
tem. --- In Nov. 1992, the Istra Branchof VNIIEMseparated tobecome
an independent enterprise, NII of Electromechanics (NIIEM). Since
May 1998, VNIIEM reports to the Russian Space Agency (RKA).
VNIR Visible Near Infrared (spectral range 0.4 --- 1.3 mm) . . . . . . . . . .
VOC Volatile Organic (carbon) Compounds . . . . . . . . . .
VCOS VLSI Chips---on---Silicon . . . . . . . . .
VoIP Voice over IP (Internet Protocol) . . . . . . . . . . .
VORTEX Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornados Experiment (cam- . . . . . .
paign)
VORTEX Vortex Ring Transit Experiment (G---93RShuttle payload on STS---88) . . . . . .
VOXEL Volumetric Picture Element (a volume element, representing a value . . . . . . . .
on a regular grid in 3D space). A voxel represents a single sample, or
data point, on a regularly spaced, three dimensional grid.
VPN Virtual Private Network . . . . . . . . . . .
VRA VHF Realtime Antenna (NOAA) . . . . . . . . . . .
VRAM Video RAM . . . . . . . . .
VRTE Vented Tank Resupply Experiment (Shuttle payload) . . . . . . . . .
VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal (small ground antenna for satellite com- . . . . . . . . . .
munication)
VSC Valencia Space Consortium, Valencia, Spain (VSC is the new home of . . . . . . . . . . .
ESAs high power radio frequency laboratory. VSC is a non---profit or-
ganizationset upin2010 by Valencias twouniversities, its regional gov-
ernment and municipality)
VSCMG Variable Speed Control Moment Gyroscope . . . . . . .
VSE Vision for Space Exploration (this represents the US civilian space ef- . . . . . . . . . . .
fort, outlinedby President George W. Bushin January 2004). VSEfore-
sees placing permanent bases on the Earths Moon and eventually on
Mars. --- Akey element of NASAs VSEis the Manned Exploration Ve-
hicle, called Orion (named after the constellation Orion), an advanced
_____________________
6216) Eric Miller, Phillip E. Paulsen, Michael Pasciuto, Autonomous Satellite Operations Via Secure Virtual Mission
Operations Center, Proceedings of IGARSS (IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium)
2010, Honolulu, HI, USA, July 25--- 30, 2010, URL: http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/2011
0006377_2011004943.pdf
3601
crew capsule design utilizing state---of---the---art technology that will
succeed the Space Shuttle in transporting a new generation of human
explorers to and from the International Space Station, the Moon, and
eventually to Mars and beyond. On Aug. 31, 2006, NASA announced
that the Lockheed Martin teamwas selected to design and build Orion.
Note: Orion was initially known as CEW (Crew Exploration Vehicle)
and renamed by NASA on August 22, 2006.
6217)
The Orion crewvehicle will be the primary payload of the Ares I rocket
designed to reach LEO for rendezvous with the International Space
Station (ISS) --- or an EarthDeparture Stage and lunar lander. The first
Orion launch with humans onboard is planned for no later than 2014.
VSOP VLBI Space Observatory Program(of ISAS, Japan). VSOP---1 is a sat- . . . . . . . . . .
ellite launched Feb. 12, 1997 as MUSES---B. After launch the space-
craft was renamed to HALCA(Highly Advanced Laboratory for Com-
munications and Astronomy). As of 2003, a next generation S/C is
planned, called VSOP---2.
VSWR Voltage Standing Wave Ratio . . . . . . . . .
VT Virtual Terminal . . . . . . . . . . . .
VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, (Espoo, Helsinki, Finland). . . . . . . . . . . .
VTT is a contract research organization.
VUV Vacuum Ultraviolet (radiation). Refers to radiation in the spectral . . . . . . . . . .
range of 10 < l < 200 nm. Any work in this region requires evacuated
equipment.
VV Vertical transmit --- Vertical receive polarization . . . . . . . . . . . .
VZLU A. S. Aeronautical Research and Test Institute (a non---profit research or- . . . .
ganization located in Prague Letany, Czech Republic)
W
W3C World---Wide Web Consortium (since 1994) . . . . . . . . . . .
WAAS Wide Area Augmentation System (FAA). WAAS is the US space--- . . . . . . . . .
based augmentation system that provides DGPS service over a very
large geographical area (USA) by usinga satellitebroadcast of separate
corrections for GPS clock, orbital data and ionospheric delay.
WAC Wide---Angle Camera . . . . . . . . . .
WADGPS Wide Area Differential GPS . . . . . .
WAIS West Antarctic Ice Sheet Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
WARC World Administrative Radio Conference (of ITU) . . . . . . . . .
WATS Water---Vapor and Wind in Atmospheric Troposphere and Strato- . . . . . . . . .
sphere (a proposed ESA mission as of 2001)
WAU Wageningen Agricultural University, The Netherlands . . . . . . . . . .
WBVTR Wideband Video Tape Recorder (on Landsat---1 to ---3 series) . . . . . . .
WBP Water---Based Propulsion (see Glossary) . . . . . . . . . .
WCASP World Climate Applications and Services Programme (WMO) . . . . . . . .
WCC World Climate Conference (WCC---1 in 1979, WCC---2 in 1990) . . . . . . . . . .
W---CDMA Wideband CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) . . . . .
WCDMP World Climate Data and Monitoring Programme (WMO) . . . . . . .
WCIRP World Climate Impact Assessment and Response Strategies Pro- . . . . . . . .
gramme (UNEP)
WCP World Climate Program (WMO is the lead agency of WCP) . . . . . . . . . .
WCRP World Climate Research Programme (since 1980, jointly sponsored by . . . . . . . . .
WMO, ICSU, and IOC)
WDC World Data Center . . . . . . . . . .
WDCGG World Data Center for Greenhouse Gases (of WMO) . . . . . . .
WDM Wavelength Division Multiplexing (optical high---rate transmission . . . . . . . . . .
technology)
_____________________
6217) http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/exploration/mmb/orion_announcement.html
3602
WDMA Wavelength Division Multiple Access (scheme) . . . . . . . .
WEFAX Weather Facsimile (NOAA broadcast service of GOES S/C; transmis- . . . . . . . .
sion of environmental data in WEFAX format to ground stations)
WENPEX Western North Pacific Cloud---Radiation Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
WEOS Whale Ecology Observation Satellite (microsatellite of Japan) . . . . . . . . .
WESTEX West Coast Ship Tracks Experiment (campaign) . . . . . .
WEU Western European Union (with HQ in Brussels; WEUhas 10 member . . . . . . . . . .
states: Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Neth-
erlands, Portugal, Spain, and UK)
WFE Wave Front Error (optics systems) . . . . . . . . . .
WFF Wallops Flight Facility (of NASA/GSFC, founded in 1945 by NACA) . . . . . . . . . . .
WFOV Wide Field of View (of a sensor) . . . . . . . . .
WGS84 World Geodetic System --- 1984 (DoDreference ellipsoid for GPS, etc. . . . . . . . .
GPS positions are computed in WGS84, the system has been adopted
internationally as the single worldwide datum for marine navigation)
WHRC Woods Hole Research Center (Woods Hole, MA, USA) . . . . . . . . .
WHOI Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, (Woods Hole, MA, USA --- a . . . . . . . . .
marine science non---profit research facility founded in 1930)
Wi ---Fi Wi ---Fi (Wireless Fidelity) is atrademark of the Wi ---Fi Alliance for cer- . . . . . . . . .
tified products based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. This certification
warrants interoperability between different wireless devices. AWi ---Fi
enabled device such as a PC, game console, mobile phone, MP3 player
or PDAcan connect to the Internet when withinrange of a wireless net-
work connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more intercon-
nected access points is referred to as a hotspot. The Wi ---Fi techno-
logy offers the capability of setting up mesh networks.
WiMAX Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (a wireless broad- . . . . . . . .
band technology based on the IEEE802.16 standard). WiMAXcanop-
erate on a point---to---point basis with about 30 Mbit/s over distances of
30 km. The future mobile WiMAX offers the full mobility of cellular
networks at true broadband speeds.
WIND NASA/GSFC Solar---Terrestrial Mission (K.34) . . . . . . . . .
WINDEX Window Experiment (Shuttle) . . . . . .
WINDOS Western Indian Ocean Study (campaign) . . . . . .
WISE Wide---field Infrared Survey Explorer (a NASA MIDEX astronomy . . . . . . . . . .
mission, all ---sky survey in wavelengths at: 3.3, 4.7, 12 and 23 m)
WISP Winter Icing and Storms Project (campaign) . . . . . . . . . .
WITTEX Water Inclination Topography and Technology Experiment (JHU/ . . . . . . .
APL)
WL Werkstofflabor (materials laboratory on Shuttle D2 mission) . . . . . . . . . . . .
WLAN Wireless Local Area Network (RF bands are used) . . . . . . . . .
WLC White Light Coronograph (instrument flown on SPARTAN---201 se- . . . . . . . . . .
ries)
WMO World Meteorological Organization (an agency of the United Nations, . . . . . . . . . .
located in Geneva, Switzerland, since 1951). Major science and techni-
cal programs of WMO are: WWW (World Weather Watch), WCRP
(World Climate Research Program), GAW (Global Atmosphere
Watch), HWRP (Hydrology and Water Resources Program), GCOS
(Global Climate Observing System), GOOS (Global Ocean Observing
System). As of May 2002, the WMOmembershipis: 185States andTer-
ritories.
WMSCC World Meteorological Service Computing Center . . . . . . .
WOCE World Ocean Circulation Experiment (Program) . . . . . . . . .
WORF Window Observational Research Facility (of ISS delivered by . . . . . . . . .
STS---114)
3603
WPLTN Western Pacific Laser Tracking Network (a ground network for SLRin . . . . . . . .
the Pacific region) WPTLNcoordinates the activities of SLRstations in
China, Japan, Australia, and Eastern Russia.
WPAN Wireless Personal Area Network . . . . . . . . .
WPT Wireless Power Transmission. WPT consists of converting dc power . . . . . . . . . . .
into microwave power at the transmitting end, forming the microwave
power into electronically steerable microwave beams, and capturing
the microwave power andconverting it back intodc power at thereceiv-
ing end.
w.r.t with respect to . . . . . . . . . . .
WRAS Wideband Radiator Antenna Subsystem (Galileo navigation antenna, . . . . . . . . .
Europe)
WRC World Radiocommunication Conference (of ITU, Geneva, Switzer- . . . . . . . . . .
land, see also WARC)
WRMC World Radiation Monitoring Center (Zrich, Switzerland) . . . . . . . .
WRS Worldwide Reference System(a global indexing scheme of the Landsat . . . . . . . . . .
program which is based on nominal scene centers defined by path and
row coordinates; the Aqua mission adopted the same scheme)
WSAN Wireless Sensor and Actor Network (refers to a group of sensors and . . . . . . . . .
actors linkedby wireless mediumtoperformdistributedsensing andac-
tuation tasks)
WSN Wireless Sensor Network . . . . . . . . . .
WSF Wake Shield Facility (Shuttle payload, a retrievable platform) . . . . . . . . . . .
WSMC Western Space and Missile Center (of USAF at Vandenberg, CA) . . . . . . . . .
WSN Wireless Sensor Network [i.e. a network technology, where all nodes . . . . . . . . . .
(either movingor stationary) canbothprovide andrelay data]. WSNis a
new technology for space exploration that has yet to prove the numer-
ous advantages one canexpect: lowcost, accurate measurements over a
large surface or volume, short setup time of a mission, high reliability
through redundancy.
WSOA Wide Swath Ocean Altimeter (a concept design of NASA/JPL for . . . . . . . . .
wide---swathaltimetry observations whichwas cancelledinthe springof
2005 due to budget problems)
WSTF White Sands Test Facility (White Sands, NM), a facility of NASA/JSC . . . . . . . . .
WUPPE Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo Polarimeter Experiment (part of AS- . . . . . . . .
TRO---1 payload on Shuttle)
WV Water Vapor (in the 5.7 --- 7.1 mm water vapor absorption band) . . . . . . . . . . . .
WW---II World War II (1939---1945) . . . . . . . .
WWLAN Wireless Wide Area LAN . . . . . . .
WWLLN World---Wide Lightning Location Network (a network composed of . . . . . . .
about twenty sensors at VLF which are distributed all around the
world). WWLLN is operated by LF---EM in New Zealand partnering
with the University of Washington in Seattle. It is a network of lightning
location sensors at VLF (330 kHz)
WWRP World Weather Research Program (of WMO) . . . . . . . .
WWW World Weather Watch (WMO Program) . . . . . . . . .
WWW World Wide Web (a wide---area client/server architecture for exchang- . . . . . . . . .
ing hypermedia across the Internet network). WWWoffers platformin-
dependence and the use of different communication protocols, suchas:
FTP (File Transfer Protocol), HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol),
and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). The WWW was devel-
oped/demonstrated at CERN (Tim Berners---Lee, et. al.), it started its
life in1989. The Internet withits communicationprotocols is part of the
overall WWW architecture.
X
XeCl Xenon Chloride laser . . . . . . . . . . .
3604
XENITH Xenon Ion Thruster (a commercial ion propulsion system built around . . . . . . .
the ultra high---efficient T6 ion thruster developed by QinetiQ)
XEUS X---ray Evolving Universe Spectroscopy (anESAmissioninplanningas . . . . . . . . .
of 2002 --- a potential follow---on mission to XMM---Newton). The
XEUS mission concept uses ISS to construct the large mirror satellite
(X---ray mirror of 10 m diameter) in orbit.
XIPS Xenon Ion Propulsion System (on platform HS702 of Hughes Space . . . . . . . . . .
and Communications Company, Los Angeles, CA)
XML eXtensible Markup Language (a document markup language for the . . . . . . . . . .
creation of hierarchical information structures)
XMM X---Ray Multi ---Mirror Mission (of ESA), launch Dec. 10, 1999. Note: . . . . . . . . . .
XMM was officially renamed to XMM---Newton in Feb. 2000
XNAV X---ray Source---based Navigation for Autonomous Position Deter- . . . . . . . . .
mination (a US DARPA---led technology program and initiative with
NASA cooperation). Provision of a future GPS---free, autonomous
spacecraft navigation capability
XPD X---ray Photoelectron Detection . . . . . . . . . . .
XPOD Experimental Push Out Deployer --- a CubeSat/nanosat deployment . . . . . . . . .
system developed by UTIAS/SFL (University of Toronto, Institute for
Aerospace studies/Space Flight Laboratory), Toronto, Canada
XRD X---Ray Diffraction . . . . . . . . . .
XRF X---Ray Fluorescence (spectrometry) . . . . . . . . . . .
XRT X---Ray Telescope (Spacelab---2 sensor, energy detection 2.5---25 keV) . . . . . . . . . . .
XSCC Xian Satellite Control Center, in the central Shaanxi Province of China . . . . . . . . . .
XSLC Xichang Satellite Launch Center, in the southwestern Sichuan Prov- . . . . . . . . . .
ince of China
XSS Experimental Spacecraft System(US AFRLmicrosatellite demonstra- . . . . . . . . . . .
tion series). In conjunction with the Air Force Space Command, Air
Force Space and Missiles Systems Center, the Naval Research Labora-
tory, andindustry, missions are underway toactively evaluate futureap-
plications of microsatellite technologies to include: inspection; rendez-
vous anddocking; repositioning; andtechniques for close---inproximity
maneuvering around on orbit assets.
XTCE XML Telemetric & Command Exchange (XTCE is an information . . . . . . . . .
model for spacecraft telemetry and commanding data). Using XTCE
the format andcontent of a space systems commandandtelemetry links
can be readily exchanged between spacecraft operators and manufac-
turers.
XTED eXtended Transducer Electronic Datasheet. For instance, for SPA . . . . . . . . .
(Space Plug---and---play Avionics) the datasheet is XTED.
XTI Cross---Track Interferometry . . . . . . . . . . .
XTJ NeXt Triple Junction (solar cells of SpectroLab with an efficiency of . . . . . . . . . . .
29.5%)
XTR Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . .
XUV Extreme Ultra Violet (same as EUV, i.e. 1 --- 130 nm spectral range) . . . . . . . . . .
Y
YAG Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (a type of solid---state crystal laser) . . . . . . . . . . .
YBCO Yttrium---Barium---Copper---Oxide (YBa
2
Cu
3
O
7
), also simply re- . . . . . . . . .
ferred to as: YBaCuO (a semiconducting detector material used in
broadband microbolometer applications in the FIR spectral range).
YBCO has also a great potential in the field of magnet technology (su-
perconducting magnets)
YBLCO Yttrium---Barium---Lanthanum---Copper---Oxide . . . . . . . .
YES Young Engineers Satellite (ESA student program with payload build- . . . . . . . . . . .
ing experience, YES1 launch Oct. 30, 1997, YES2 in preparation with a
projected launch on a Russian Foton---M3 spacecraft in 2006)
3605
YLF Yttrium Lithium Fluoride (a laser type) . . . . . . . . . . .
YUZHNOYE State Design Office Yuzhnoye, Dniepropetrosvk, Ukraine (since . . .
1954), builders of two launch vehicles: Zenit and Cyclone; builders of
OKEANseries satellites. Alsodevelopers of Intercosmos spacecraft; of
the 25 S/C in the Intercosmos program, 22 were built by Yuzhnoye.
Z
ZAMG Zentralanstalt fr Meteorologie und Geodynamik, with HQs at Vien- . . . . . . . . .
na, Austria, since 1851 (Austrian Institute for Meteorology and Geody-
namics)
ZARM Zentrumfr angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie undMikrogravitation . . . . . . . . .
(Center of Applied Space Technology and Microgravity --- since 1985),
an institute of the University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
ZBLAN ZBLAN (ZrF
4
---BaF
2
---LaF
3
---AlF
3
---NaF) are heavy metal glasses, . . . . . . . .
discovered in 1975 by Poulain and Lucas at the University of Rennes in
France. ZBLAN has a broad optical transmission window extending
from0.3 --- 7 m, lowrefractiveindex (1.50), a relatively lowglass trans-
itiontemperature (Tg) of 260 C, lowdispersionand a lowandnegative
dn/dT (temperature dependence of refractive index). ZBLAN glass
fibers are valuable for advanced communications, medical, and manu-
facturing technologies using lasers.
Z/I Imaging Zeiss/Intergraph Imaging GmbH, Oberkochen, Germany (a joint ven- . . . . .
ture of Carl Zeiss and Intergraph in the field of airborne geo---informa-
tion systems like RMK, DMC, GIS solutions, photogrammetry, Earth
imaging tools, etc.). As of Oct. 2002, Intergraph Corporation of Hunts-
ville, ALA, acquired ownership of Z/I Imaging.
ZTD ZenithTotal Delay [a GPSdata estimate used for IWV(IntegratedWa- . . . . . . . . . . .
ter Vapor) determination]
ZUP Flight Control Center, Kaliningrad, Russia (TT&Cfunction for MIRstation . . . . . . . . . . .
along with RKK Energia)