USB

(communication, space science) Initialism of unified S-band (a communication system used for the Apollo program).


constellation

PIE word
 *ḱóm
From Middle English constellacioun, constillacioun (“(astrology) position of the moon or a planet in relation to the ascendant sign of the zodiac; horoscope; (astronomy) formation of fixed stars, constellation; (astronomy) elevation or position of the sun”) [and other forms], borrowed from Old French constellation (modern French constellation), or directly from its etymon Late Latin cōnstēllātiōnem, the accusative singular of cōnstēllātiō (“collection of stars supposed to exert an influence upon human affairs, constellation”), from Latin con- (prefix denoting a bringing together of several objects) + stēlla (“star; meteor; planet”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₂stḗr (“star”)) + -ātiō (suffix forming nouns).

nb...

constelacioun, constellacion, constellacyon, constellacyoun, constillacion, constillacione, constillacioune, constillatioun, constollacion, constolacioun

sterrebeeld

arbitrary formation of stars perceived as a figure or pattern, or a division of the sky including it

rykelmä

The Iridium satellite constellation provides data and voice information coverage to satellite phones and other communication devices over the entire surface of Earth.

With its Starlink program, SpaceX hopes to launch a constellation of as many as 42,000 satellites to provide Internet service to the world.

2021 December 13, Molly Ball, Jeffrey Kluger, Alejandro de la Garza, “2021 Person of the Year: Elon Musk”, in Time, New York, N.Y.: Time Inc., →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2023-08-14:

(figurative) A configuration or grouping of related things.

(space science) A fleet of satellites used for the same purpose.


trajectory

/tɹəˈd͡ʒɛktəɹi/

From New Latin trāiectōria f (“trajectory”) (used by Newton), the feminine of trāiectōrius (“of or pertaining to throwing across”), from Latin trāiectus (“thrown over or across”), past participle of trāiciō, from trans- (“across, beyond”) (see trans-) + iaciō (“to throw”) (from Proto-Indo-European *(H)yeh₁- (“to throw, impel”)). Middle French and Middle English had trajectorie (“end of a funnel”), from Latin trāiectōrium.

(astronomy, space science) The path of a body as it travels through space.


hibernation

en-noun

hibernation (countable and uncountable, plural hibernations)

hibernations (plural)
hybernation (alternative)

From Latin hibernātus, from hibernō, from hībernus (“winter”).

إِسْبَات

(biology) state of minimum power consumption, inactivity and metabolic depression during winter

letargo

(biology, space) hypothetical state of minimum power consumption, inactivity and metabolic depression in humans

(biology, sleep, space science) A hypothetical state of minimum power consumption, inactivity and metabolic depression in humans during long space flights.


Artemis

From Ancient Greek Ἄρτεμις (Ártemis). Further etymology is uncertain.

(NASA, space science) A United States space program, and the associated vehicles, used for human travel to the moon in the 2020s.


SPE

solar particle event
w:solar particle event

(space science) Initialism of solar particle event.


safe mode

(space science) An emergency mode of many unmanned spacecraft in which nonessential systems are shut down and the spacecraft assumes a preset attitude towards the sun while awaiting commands from ground control.


ESA

European Space Agency
w:European Space Agency

(space science) Initialism of European Space Agency.


umbilicus

umbilicus (plural umbilici or umbilicuses)

Borrowed from Latin umbilīcus (“navel”).

The importance of the visual analyzer is further increased when the cosmonaut is in free space with only the slight support of an umbilicus.

1966, Aerospace Technology Division, Soviet Biotechnology and Bioastronautics: Report, Library of Congress, page 10:

Penetrators will be connected by an umbilicus to an afterbody containing imaging and meteorological instruments.

1977, James W. Head, United States. National Aeronautics, Space Administration, Significant achievements in the planetary geology program, 1975-1976:

How about a 270 mile tether to an orbiting satellite? Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? Frank! Prepare to receive the umbilicus!

1994, Michael J. Nelson (head writer), "Girls Town", episode 601, Mystery Science Theater 3000

Ninety minutes into the twenty-six hour flight, Leonov opened the outer hatch and pushed himself out to the end of his 17-foot umbilicus — becoming the first man to walk in space.

2013, Treion Muller, Matthew Murdoch, The Webinar Manifesto: Never Design, Deliver, or Sell Lousy Webinars Again!, RosettaBooks, →ISBN:

(space science) A tube connecting an astronaut or spacecraft to the mothership, through which supplies and samples can be transferred.


ATV

ATV (countable and uncountable, plural ATVs)

Automated Transfer Vehicle
Automated Transfer Vehicle#English

(transport, space science) Initialism of Automated Transfer Vehicle.


Alma

Atacama Large Millimeter Array
w:Atacama Large Millimeter Array

(space science) Nonstandard form of ALMA, acronym of Atacama Large Millimeter Array.


Apollo

From Latin Apollō, from Ancient Greek Ἀπόλλων (Apóllōn).

Apollo 11 landed people on the moon for the first time.

(NASA, space science) A United States space program, and the vehicles it created, used for human travel to the moon.


SSA

(European Union, space science) Initialism of Space Situational Awareness, a programme of ESA.


JPL

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
w:Jet Propulsion Laboratory

(space science, US) Initialism of Jet Propulsion Laboratory.


ISS

International Space Station
International Space Station#English

(space science) Initialism of International Space Station.


MRO

(NASA, space science, US) Initialism of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.


SAM

Sample Analysis at Mars
w:Sample Analysis at Mars

Mars Science Laboratory
w:Mars Science Laboratory

(space science, NASA) Acronym of Sample Analysis at Mars (a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory on board the Curiosity rover on Mars.)


COTS

(NASA, space science) Acronym of Commercial Orbital Transportation Services, a program for delivery to the International Space Station by private companies.


HST

Hubble Space Telescope
w:Hubble Space Telescope

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Hubble Space Telescope.


injection

injection (countable and uncountable, plural injections)

/ɪnˈd͡ʒɛk.ʃən/

Nicolas Bourbaki
Éléments de mathématique

Borrowed from Middle French injection, from Latin iniectio. The mathematical sense is from French injection, introduced by Nicolas Bourbaki in their treatise Éléments de mathématique.

It had been determined that one of the whip turnstile antennas had broken off from Explorer 1 shortly after injection into orbit, so these were eliminated.

2015, Henry L. Richter, America's Leap Into Space:

(space science) The act of putting a spacecraft into a particular orbit, especially for changing a stable orbit into a transfer orbit, e.g. trans-lunar injection.


OST

The most important source of space law is the 1967 Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies (OST).¹⁶ […] The OST is a product of the Cold War era when the United States and the Soviet Union—the only states with spacefaring capability—were bitter rivals, each fundamentally distrustful of the other.

2014, John G Sprankling, “Rights in Airspace and Outer Space”, in The International Law of Property, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 176:

(law, space science) Initialism of Outer Space Treaty: a treaty that represents the basic legal framework of international space law, signed in 1967.


NLS

(space science, US) Initialism of National Launch System.


DSN

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Deep Space Network.


strongback

(space science) A vertical structure used to support and stabilize a rocket, often hosting fuel and power umbilical connections. Usually retracted immediately before launch.


AIM

(ESA, space science) Initialism of Asteroid Impact Mission.

Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere
w:Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere, a NASA satellite.


space probe

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-space probe.wav

(space science) A robotic space vehicle designed to voyage beyond Earth's orbit.

espazio-zunda

unmanned space vehicle designed to voyage beyond Earth's orbit


SOHO

Solar and Heliospheric Observatory
w:Solar and Heliospheric Observatory

(space science) Initialism of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (A spacecraft of the ESA and NASA).


transfer window

transfer window (plural transfer windows)

(space science) A period of time during which a spacecraft orbiting one celestial body can travel to a different body and enter orbit around it without excessive expenditure of fuel or reaction mass.


DAN

Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons
w:Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons

(space science, NASA) Acronym of Dynamic Albedo of Neutrons, a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory onboard the Curiosity rover at Mars.


OV

(space science) Initialism of orbiter vehicle.


SDO

(space science, US) Initialism of Solar Dynamics Observatory.


ULA

SpaceX is expected to handle 40% of all national security satellites slated to go up over the next five to seven years, while ULA will handle the other 60%.

2020 August 7, Jackie Wattles, “SpaceX and ULA win military launch competition worth $653 million – and that’s just the start”, in CNN Business:

United Launch Alliance
w:United Launch Alliance

(space science, US) Initialism of United Launch Alliance.


microsatellite

(space science) An artificial satellite between 10 and 100 kilograms in mass.


LTO

LTO (countable and uncountable, plural LTOs)

lunar transfer orbit
lunar transfer orbit#English

(space science, countable) Initialism of lunar transfer orbit.


MPD

MPD (countable and uncountable, plural MPDs)

(physics, engineering, space science, astronautics) Initialism of magnetoplasmadynamics.


MPD

(physics, engineering, space science, astronautics) Initialism of magnetoplasmadynamic.

MPD thruster — magnetoplasmadymanic thruster


ASAT

ASAT (countable and uncountable, plural ASATs)

(military, space science) Abbreviation of anti-satellite weapon.


minisatellite

Meanwhile, other members of ESA’s Proba minisatellite family – each smaller than a cubic metre – will be looking downwards, attempting to capture views of the Moon’s shadow as it crosses Earth.

2015, "ESA Minisatellites to Follow Europe’s Solar Eclipse", ESA, archived 2015-03-13

(space science) an artificial satellite massing between 100 and 500 kilograms


SRB

(astronautics, space science) Initialism of solid rocket booster, NASA term for booster rockets which use solid rocket fuel, which provide additional thrust to a main rocket.


LOI

LOI (countable and uncountable, plural LOIs)

(US, space science) Initialism of lunar orbit insertion: NASA terminology for a spacecraft maneuver to enter into orbit around the Moon.


RAD

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Radiation Assessment Detector, a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory onboard the Curiosity rover at Mars.


RHU

radioisotope heater unit
radioisotope heater unit#English

(space science, robotics) Initialism of radioisotope heater unit, a device that generates heat from the natural decay of radioactive material.


LEM

(US, space science) Originally Lunar Excursion Module, latterly Lunar Module.


MSR

Mars Sample Return mission
w:Mars sample return mission

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Mars Sample Return mission.


TGO

(ESA, Roscosmos, space science) Initialism of Trace Gas Orbiter, an atmosphere research orbiter send in 2016 by the ESA/Roscosmos collaborative project to Mars (ExoMars).


RMI

Remote Micro Imager
w:Curiosity (rover)#Instruments

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Remote Micro Imager.


TLI

trans-lunar injection
trans-lunar injection#English

(space science) Initialism of trans-lunar injection.


GTO

geostationary transfer orbit
geostationary transfer orbit#English

(space science) Abbreviation of geostationary transfer orbit.


LLO

LLO (countable and uncountable, plural LLOs)

(space science) Initialism of low lunar orbit.


VSS

(aviation, space science) Virgin SpaceShip — spaceship prefix for Virgin Galactic spacelines


VMS

(aviation, space science) Initialism of Virgin Mothership, used by Virgin Galactic spacelines.


WISE

Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer
w:Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer

(space science, US) Acronym of Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (“a NASA infrared-wavelength astronomical space telescope that performed an all-sky astronomical survey with images in 3-22 μm wavelength bands”).


FLPP

w:Future Launchers Preparatory Programme

(space science) Initialism of Future Launchers Preparatory Programme.


SST

Spitzer Space Telescope
w:Spitzer Space Telescope

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Spitzer Space Telescope.


SLS

Space Launch System
Space Launch System#English

(space science, transport) Initialism of Space Launch System.

Space Launcher System
Space Launcher System#English

(space science, transport) Initialism of Space Launcher System.


Space Launch System

(transport, space science) A Shuttle-derived heavy launch vehicle being designed by NASA to replace the Space Shuttle.


NPOESS

w:National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System

(space science) Initialism of National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System.


NPP

NPOESS Preparatory Project
w:NPOESS Preparatory Project

(space science) Initialism of NPOESS Preparatory Project.


Automated Transfer Vehicle

Automated Transfer Vehicle (plural Automated Transfer Vehicles)

(transport, space science) An expendable unmanned resupply spacecraft developed by the European Space Agency.


ASAR

advanced synthetic aperture radar
w:Synthetic Aperture Radar

(space science) Initialism of advanced synthetic aperture radar.


NGST

New Generation Space Telescope
w:Next Generation Space Telescope

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of New Generation Space Telescope.


JWST

(NASA, space science, US) Initialism of James Webb Space Telescope.


MPO

Mercury Planetary Orbiter
w:Mercury Planetary Orbiter

(space science) Initialism of Mercury Planetary Orbiter.


JUICE

Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer
w:Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer

(space science, ESA) Acronym of Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer.


VMC

Venus Monitoring Camera
w:Venus Monitoring Camera

(space science, ESA) Initialism of Venus Monitoring Camera.


VEX

(space science, ESA) Initialism of Venus Express.


VIRTIS

w:Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer

(space science, ESA) Initialism of Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer.


PFS

Planetary Fourier Spectrometer
w:Planetary Fourier Spectrometer

(space science, ESA) Initialism of Planetary Fourier Spectrometer.


CCDev

Commercial Crew Development
w:Commercial Crew Development

(space science, US) Initialism of Commercial Crew Development.


(space science, US) Initialism of Commercial Crew and Cargo Program Office.


RBSP

Radiation Belt Storm Probes
w:Radiation Belt Storm Probes

(space science, US) Initialism of Radiation Belt Storm Probes, a spacecraft for NASAs LWS program.


LWS

(space science) Initialism of Living with a star.


GRAIL

w:Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory.


ECSS

w:European Cooperation for Space Standardization

(space science) Initialism of European Cooperation for Space Standardization.


MSL

Mars Science Laboratory
w:Mars Science Laboratory

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Mars Science Laboratory.


MER

Mars Exploration Rover
w:Mars Exploration Rover

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Mars Exploration Rover.


MAHLI

Mars Hand Lens Imager
w:Mars Hand Lens Imager

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Mars Hand Lens Imager, a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory on board the Curiosity rover on Mars.


MARDI

Mars Descent Imager
w:Mars Descent Imager

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Mars Descent Imager (a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory aboard the Curiosity rover on Mars).


REMS

w:Rover Environmental Monitoring Station

(space science, NASA) Acronym of Rover Environmental Monitoring Station.


APXS

Alpha-particle X-ray spectrometer
w:Alpha particle X-ray spectrometer

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Alpha-particle X-ray spectrometer, a scientific instrument of the Mars Science Laboratory onboard the Curiosity rover at Mars.


HiRISE

(space science, NASA) Initialism of High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, a camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.


MEDLI

(space science, NASA) Initialism of MSL Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation, a suite of engineering sensors in the Mars Science Laboratory entry vehicle heat shield involved in the landing of the Curiosity rover on Mars.


heat shield

(space science) A shield designed of a substance that absorbs excessive heat from an outside source by either dissipating, reflecting or simply absorbing the heat.


RVSP

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Rover Sequencing and Visualization Program, a tool that helps engineers plan the Curiosity rover's drives, modeling pebbles and bumps in the terrain.


ChemCam

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Chemistry and Camera, an instrument onboard the Curiosity rover.


INTEGRAL

(space science, ESA) Abbreviation of International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory (a satellite of the European Space Agency).


JCSS

w:Joint Functional Component Command for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance

(space science) Initialism of Joint Functional Component Command, an organisation that controls space debris.


GCR

Galactic Cosmic Radiation
w:galactic cosmic radiation

(space science) Initialism of Galactic Cosmic Radiation.


SOFIA

w:Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy

(space science, telescope, NASA) Acronym of Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy, a telescope atop a Boeing 747SP aircraft with an effective diameter of 2.5 meters at altitudes up to 13.7 kilometers.


sounding rocket

sounding rocket (plural sounding rockets)

(space science) A suborbital rocket used to launch upper atmosphere, exoatmospheric, and microgravity sondes or probes.


GALEX

Galaxy Evolution Explorer
w:Galaxy Evolution Explorer

(space science) Acronym of Galaxy Evolution Explorer, a spacecraft of NASA.


LDCM

Landsat Data Continuity Mission
w:Landsat Data Continuity Mission

(space science) Initialism of Landsat Data Continuity Mission, an enterprise for acquisition of satellite imagery of Earth, directed by NASA.


AUASS

(space science) Initialism of Arab Union for Astronomy and Space Sciences.


MMOD

(space science, NASA) Initialism of micrometeoroid and orbital debris.


CheMin

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Chemistry and Mineralogy, an instrument onboard the Curiosity rover at Mars.


Navcam

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of navigation camera, a type of engineering camera found on certain unmanned space rovers including the Curiosity rover on Mars.


Hazcam

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Hazard avoidance camera, a type of engineering camera mounted on the front and rear of certain unmanned space rovers including the Curiosity rover at Mars.


MastCam

(space science, NASA) Abbreviation of Mast camera, a type of camera found on certain unmanned space rovers including the Curiosity rover at Mars.


CIBER

(space science, NASA) Initialism of Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment.


MGS

Mars Global Surveyor
w:Mars Global Surveyor

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Mars Global Surveyor.


SIRTF

Space Infrared Telescope Facility
w:Spitzer Space Telescope

(space science, US, NASA) Initialism of Space Infrared Telescope Facility.


ESOC

(ESA, European Union, space science) Initialism of European Space Operations Centre.


ESTEC

w:European Space Research and Technology Centre

(European Union, space science) Initialism of European Space Research and Technology Centre.


MAVEN

(NASA, space science) Acronym of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission, a space probe designed to investigate the Martian climate.


IXV

Engineers are forging ahead with the final tests on ESA’s Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, IXV, to check that it can withstand the demanding conditions from liftoff to separation from Vega.

2014 July 16, “ESA'S SPACEPLANE SET FOR FLIGHT”, in (Please provide the book title or journal name) (HTML), ESA, archived from the original on 2008-09-13:

(ESA, space science) Initialism of Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle, an experimental space vehicle of the European Space Administration.


EAC

„Alexander is now flying straight to the European Astronaut Centre (EAC), the home base of all ESA astronauts in Cologne, Germany. ESA’s medical team will monitor how he readapts to gravity after spending more than five months in weightlessness.“

European Astronaut Centre
w:European Astronaut Centre

(space science) Abbreviation of European Astronaut Centre.


HEO

highly elliptical orbit
highly elliptical orbit#English

(space science) Initialism of highly elliptical orbit.

GEO

geostationary orbit / geostationary Earth orbit

GSO

geosynchronous orbit / geosynchronous Earth orbit


DRO

GEO

geostationary orbit/geostationary Earth orbit

GSO

geosynchronous orbit/geosynchronous Earth orbit

distant retrograde orbit
w:distant retrograde orbit

(space science) Initialism of distant retrograde orbit.


ELSS

(space science) Initialism of extravehicular life support system.


AIDA

(ESA, NASA, space science) Initialism of Asteroid Impact & Deflection Mission.


ESRIN

(ESA, space science) Initialism of European Space Research Institute.


USOS

(ISS, space science, US) Initialism of United States Orbital Segment (“the part of the International Space Station that was contributed by the United States of America, or using NASA specification-based modules”).


LDSD

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Low-Density Supersonic Decelerator (a reentry vehicle designed to test techniques for atmospheric entry on Mars).


LORRI

(New Horizons, space science) Acronym of Long-Range Reconnaissance Imager, a long-focal-length imager designed for high resolution and responsivity at visible wavelengths.


IIST

(India, space science) Initialism of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology.


QAI

organic certification
organic certification

(India, space science) Initialism of Quality Assurance International, a U.S.-based international organic certification company.


NextSTEP

(NASA, space science) Name for a set of projects that aim to develop technology for human spaceflight in deep space exploration.


LCROSS

(space science) Initialism of Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite.


LRO

Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
w:Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

(space science) Initialism of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.


LPRP

Lunar Precursor Robotic Program
w:Lunar Precursor Robotic Program

(space science) Initialism of Lunar Precursor Robotic Program.


ASVS

(space science) Initialism of Advanced Space Vision System, a computer vision system designed primarily for the ISS assembly.


SMOS

(ESA, space science) Initialism of Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity, a satellite from the Living Planet Programme.


SSED

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Solar System Exploration Division, a division at NASA.


SMPG

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Small Mission Program Group, a division for missions with a small budget at NASA.


ISEE

(NASA, space science) Abbreviation of International Sun Earth Explorer (later renamed to International Cometary Explorer ICE).


LISA

(ESA, physics, space science) Initialism of Laser Interferometer Space Antenna; abbreviation, used in LISA Pathfinder, an ESA space probe that will test technologies needed a gravitational wave observatory.


eLISA

(ESA, physics, space science) Initialism of evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna, a proposed European Space Agency mission designed to detect and accurately measure gravitational waves.


LIGO

(physics, space science) Initialism of Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory, a large-scale physics experiment that successfully detected gravitational waves in 2015.


space-based

en-adj

space-based (comparative more space-based, superlative most space-based)

more space-based (comparative)
most space-based (superlative)

While this study focuses on the implications of space-based global strike for future U.S. military capabilities, its fundamental objective is to provoke a debate within the U.S. defense establishment[…]

2001, Larry G. Sills, Space-based Global Strike: Understanding Strategic and Military Implications, page 19:

(space science, of a weapon, facility, etc) Based in (or beginning from) space (especially in orbit, but sometimes on a planet or moon).


LPSC

w:Lunar and Planetary Science Conference

(planetology, space science) Initialism of Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.


magnetoplasmadynamics

(physics, electromagnetism, engineering, space science, astronautics) The scientific study of the motion of plasma in the presence of a magnetic field.


graveyard orbit

en-noun

graveyard orbit (plural graveyard orbits)

(space science) An orbit where spacecraft which have reached their end of life can be safely positioned to avoid colliding with other spacecraft or the Earth.


ExoMars

(ESA, RFSA, space science) Acronym of Exobiology on Mars, a two-part Martian astrobiology project to search for evidence of life on Mars.


ROS

(ISS, space science, US) Initialism of Russian Orbital Segment, the part of the International Space Station that was contributed by Russia, or using ROSCOSMOS/Mir specification-based modules.


safing

(space science) The process of (a spacecraft) entering safe mode.


SHLLV

(space science, transport) Initialism of Super Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle.


HLLV

(space science, transport) Initialism of Heavy-Lift Launch Vehicle.


RPS

(NASA, nuclear power, space science) Initialism of Radioisotope Power System.


Space Launcher System

(transport, space science, historical) A 1960s-era design program of the United States Air Force.


space programme

space programme (plural space programmes)

space programmes (plural)
space program (alternative US)

(space science, British spelling) A programme of space exploration and research.


ASARS

(space science) Initialism of advanced synthetic aperture radar system.


Gabbard diagram

Gabbard diagram (plural Gabbard diagrams)

(space science) A scatter plot on which the periapses and apoapses of the pieces of space debris from a single fragmentation event are plotted with respect to the pieces' orbital periods.


MSSS

(space science, US) Abbreviation of Malin Space Science Systems (a private company that designs, develop and operate instruments and technical equipment for unmanned spacecraft.)


DSCOVR

DSCOVR was originally called Triana, an earth observation mission championed by Al Gore when he was vice president. The spacecraft, derisively called GoreSat, was put into storage for years until it was adapted for use as a solar storm warning system.

2022 January 26, Kenneth Chang, “SpaceX Rocket Part to Crash Into Moon 7 Years After Launch”, in The New York Times, →ISSN:

Deep Space Climate Observatory
w:Deep Space Climate Observatory

(space science) Abbreviation of Deep Space Climate Observatory.


SSME

Space Shuttle Main Engine
w:Space Shuttle Main Engine

(US, space science, aviation) Initialism of Space Shuttle Main Engine.


HLS

(space science) Abbreviation of human landing system.


peak of eternal light

peak of eternal light (plural peaks of eternal light)

(space science) A mountain peak, on a solid, non-luminous celestial body, which experiences continuous or near-continuous illumination due to a combination of high altitude, very high latitude, and being on a celestial body with very low axial tilt.


crater of eternal darkness

crater of eternal darkness (plural craters of eternal darkness)

(space science) A crater or other depression, on a solid, non-luminous celestial body, the interior of which contains one or more points which lie in perpetual shadow due to a combination of high latitude and being on a celestial body with low axial tilt.


Shkadov thruster

Shkadov thruster (plural Shkadov thrusters)

Named after Soviet engineer Dr. Leonid Shkadov, who first proposed it.

named-after

(astronautics, space science) A hypothetical megastructure consisting of a gargantuan statite used to redirect the radiation pressure of a star, generating a net thrust which slowly accelerates the whole system in the direction of the statite.


rockaire

rockaires (plural)
rockair (alternative)

(astronautics, aviation, dated) An air-launched rocket

(space science, dated) An aeroplane-launched sounding rocket

An air-launched rocket
An aeroplane-launched sounding rocket


GOES

(meteorology, space science, US) Abbreviation of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite.


Coordinated Lunar Time

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-Coordinated Lunar Time.wav

Nasa has until the end of 2026 to set up what is being called Coordinated Lunar Time (LTC).

2024 April 2, Diana Ramirez-Simon, “Moon Standard Time? Nasa to create lunar-centric time reference system”, in The Guardian^(https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/apr/02/moon-nasa-coordinated-lunar-time#:~:text=Nasa%20has%20until%20the%20end,Coordinated%20Lunar%20Time%20(LTC).&text=It's%20not%20quite%20a%20time,time%20reference%20for%20the%20moon):

(space science, neologism) A new lunar time zone standard that the White House has directed NASA to establish by 2026.


CLPS

(NASA, space science) Initialism of Commercial Lunar Payload Services (a project to send small payloads to the Moon)