Newspace Lexicon
Complete reference guide to space industry acronyms and terminology.
Features detailed definitions for hundreds of used abbreviations in
satellite technology, spacecraft engineering, mission control, and space operations.
Includes terms from major space agencies (NASA, ESA, JAXA),
technical systems (ADCS, TT&C, EPS), mission phases (LEOP, EOL), and space technology (CubeSat, GNSS, SAR).
Essential resource for aerospace professionals, engineers, students, and space enthusiasts.
Acronym | Definition |
---|---|
AACS | Attitude and Articulation Control System - System that controls spacecraft orientation and moving parts. |
ADCS | Attitude Determination and Control System - Subsystem responsible for a satellite's orientation. |
ADRM | Active Debris Removal Mission - Mission designed to remove space debris from orbit. |
AI | Artificial Intelligence - Used in mission automation and data analysis. |
AIS | Automatic Identification System - Tracking system used for maritime vessels. |
AOCS | Attitude and Orbit Control System - System managing spacecraft orientation and orbital position. |
API | Application Programming Interface - Interface for software communication and integration. |
APM | Antenna Pointing Mechanism - System controlling satellite antenna direction. |
APS | Auxiliary Propulsion System - Secondary propulsion system for minor orbital adjustments. |
ASI | Italian Space Agency (Agenzia Spaziale Italiana) - Italy's national space agency. |
ASIC | Application-Specific Integrated Circuit - Custom-designed electronic chip for space applications. |
BER | Bit Error Rate - Measure of data transmission accuracy in space communications. |
BOL | Beginning of Life - Initial operational period of a spacecraft. |
BPS | Bits Per Second - Data transmission rate measurement. |
CAD | Computer-Aided Design - Software tools for spacecraft design. |
CAN | Controller Area Network - Communication protocol used in spacecraft. |
CCSDS | Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems - Global standards for space data communication. |
CDH | Command and Data Handling - Subsystem managing spacecraft computer operations. |
CDR | Critical Design Review - A key milestone in the design phase of a mission. |
CDS | Constellation Deployment System - System for deploying multiple satellites. |
CNES | French Space Agency (Centre National d'Études Spatiales) - France's space agency. |
CONOPS | Concept of Operations - High-level description of how a mission will operate. |
COTS | Commercial Off-The-Shelf - Ready-made products used in space systems to reduce costs. |
CSpOC | Combined Space Operations Center - Multinational space operations coordination center (successor to JSpOC). |
CSA | Canadian Space Agency - National space agency of Canada. |
CSD | Canisterized Satellite Dispenser - System for deploying CubeSats. |
CubeSat | Cubic Satellite - Standardized miniature satellite format (10cm cube per unit). |
DCS | Data Collection System - System for gathering and processing spacecraft data. |
DLR | German Aerospace Center - Germany's space agency and research center. |
DMC | Disaster Monitoring Constellation - Satellite network for monitoring natural disasters. |
DRR | Design Readiness Review - Assessment to confirm system readiness for final design. |
DSN | Deep Space Network - Network of ground stations for deep space communications. |
EIRP | Effective Isotropic Radiated Power - Measurement of transmitted power in communication systems. |
EO | Earth Observation - Use of satellites to monitor Earth's surface and atmosphere. |
EOL | End of Life - Final operational period of a spacecraft. |
EPS | Electrical Power System - Power generation and distribution system. |
ESA | European Space Agency - Intergovernmental organization dedicated to space exploration. |
ESPA | EELV Secondary Payload Adapter - Standard interface for secondary payloads. |
ETV | Electric Transfer Vehicle - Spacecraft using electric propulsion for orbital transfers. |
EVA | Extravehicular Activity - Spacewalk or activity outside spacecraft. |
FDIR | Fault Detection, Isolation, and Recovery - Protocols for managing system failures. |
FEC | Forward Error Correction - Technique to improve reliability of data transmission. |
FM | Flight Model - A prototype of a satellite for use in actual missions. |
FOV | Field of View - Observable area from a sensor or instrument. |
GEO | Geostationary Earth Orbit - Orbit at 35,786 km altitude. |
GNSS | Global Navigation Satellite System - Satellite-based navigation system (e.g., GPS). |
GPS | Global Positioning System - US satellite navigation system. |
GS | Ground Station - Facility on Earth for communicating with satellites. |
GSN | Ground Station Network - Network of ground stations used to support satellite missions. |
GTO | Geostationary Transfer Orbit - Elliptical orbit for reaching GEO. |
HAB | High-Altitude Balloon - Platform for near-space testing and research. |
HEO | Highly Elliptical Orbit - Orbit with high eccentricity. |
HTS | High-Throughput Satellite - Satellite designed for high-speed data transfer. |
IOD | In-Orbit Demonstration - Testing new technologies in space. |
IOS | Indian Ocean Satellite - Satellites positioned over the Indian Ocean region. |
IoT | Internet of Things - Network of interconnected devices, some supported by satellite connectivity. |
IPR | Intellectual Property Rights - Legal rights for space technology innovations. |
IRD | Interface Requirements Document - Specification of system interfaces. |
ISL | Inter-Satellite Link - Communication links between satellites. |
ISO | International Organization for Standardization - Develops space-related standards. |
ISR | Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance - Space-based observation capabilities. |
ISS | International Space Station - Orbital research facility. |
ITAR | International Traffic in Arms Regulations - US regulations controlling space technology. |
IVA | Intravehicular Activity - Activities inside spacecraft. |
JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency - Japan's space agency. |
JPL | Jet Propulsion Laboratory - NASA research and development center. |
JSpOC | Joint Space Operations Center - Former US military space operations center (predecessor to CSpOC). |
KBD | Knowledge Base Database - Repository of space mission information. |
KSC | Kennedy Space Center - NASA launch facility in Florida. |
LEOP | Launch and Early Orbit Phase - Initial period after satellite launch. |
LEO | Low Earth Orbit - Orbits close to Earth, typically below 2,000 km altitude. |
LNA | Low Noise Amplifier - Component improving signal reception. |
LOS | Line of Sight - Direct path between communication points. |
LRR | Launch Readiness Review - Final review before launch. |
LV | Launch Vehicle - Rocket used to launch spacecraft. |
MAG | Magnetometer - Instrument measuring magnetic fields. |
MCC | Mission Control Centre - Centralized facility for managing and monitoring missions. |
MCS | Mission Control Software - Software used to operate and simulate satellite missions. |
MEO | Medium Earth Orbit - Orbital region between LEO and GEO. |
MEMS | Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems - Miniaturized devices for space use. |
MLI | Multi-Layer Insulation - Thermal protection material. |
MMH | Monomethylhydrazine - Common spacecraft propellant. |
MOC | Mission Operations Center - Facility controlling space missions. |
MPS | Mission Planning System - Software for mission scheduling. |
MRR | Mission Readiness Review - Assessment of operational readiness before mission execution. |
MSS | Mobile Satellite Services - Communication services via satellite. |
NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration - US space agency. |
NOAA | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - US agency operating weather satellites. |
NSpOC | National Space Operations Centre - US military space operations coordination center. |
OBDH | On-Board Data Handling - Spacecraft data management system. |
OBC | On-Board Computer - Main spacecraft computer. |
OGS | Optical Ground Station - Ground station for laser communications. |
OSR | Optical Solar Reflector - Thermal control surface. |
OTV | Orbital Transfer Vehicle - Spacecraft designed to move payloads between different orbits. |
PAF | Payload Attach Fitting - Interface between launch vehicle and satellite. |
PCB | Printed Circuit Board - Electronic board used in spacecraft. |
PCM | Pulse Code Modulation - Digital signal encoding method. |
PDR | Preliminary Design Review - Early-stage design evaluation. |
PIM | Payload Interface Module - Interface between satellite and its payload. |
PLD | Payload - The primary mission equipment on a spacecraft. |
PMD | Post-Mission Disposal - End-of-life procedures for spacecraft. |
PMP | Project Management Plan - Document outlining mission management approach. |
PPU | Power Processing Unit - Electronics for power management. |
PRR | Production Readiness Review - Assessment before beginning production. |
QA | Quality Assurance - Processes to ensure mission quality standards. |
QOS | Quality of Service - Performance measure for mission operations and communications. |
RAD | Radiation Absorbed Dose - Measure of radiation exposure in space. |
RCS | Reaction Control System - Thrusters for attitude control. |
RF | Radio Frequency - Electromagnetic waves used for communication. |
RFI | Radio Frequency Interference - Unwanted signals affecting communications. |
RHCP | Right Hand Circular Polarization - Common antenna signal polarization. |
ROI | Return on Investment - Financial performance measure for space projects. |
RPO | Rendezvous and Proximity Operations - Maneuvering spacecraft near each other in space. |
RWA | Reaction Wheel Assembly - Momentum-based attitude control device. |
SAA | South Atlantic Anomaly - Region of increased radiation exposure. |
SAR | Synthetic Aperture Radar - Radar system used for Earth observation. |
SBSP | Space-Based Solar Power - Technology for collecting solar energy in space and beaming it to Earth. |
SBD | Space-Based Detection - Satellite-based monitoring systems. |
SCC | Space Command Centre - Facility that manages space missions and operations. |
SDR | Software Defined Radio - Flexible radio communication system. |
SEL | Single Event Latchup - Radiation-induced circuit malfunction. |
SEU | Single Event Upset - Radiation-induced bit flip in electronics. |
SLA | Service Level Agreement - Contract defining service performance levels. |
SME | Subject Matter Expert - Specialist in specific space technology areas. |
SNR | Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Measure of signal quality. |
SOC | Service Operations Centre - Manages services provided by satellites to end users. |
SoC | System on Chip - Integrated circuit combining multiple functions. |
SpW | SpaceWire - High-speed spacecraft communication protocol. |
SRR | System Requirements Review - Evaluation of mission requirements. |
SSA | Space Situational Awareness - Monitoring and tracking space objects. |
SSO | Sun-Synchronous Orbit - Orbit maintaining constant sun angle. |
STK | Systems Tool Kit - Software for mission analysis and planning. |
STM | Space Traffic Management - Coordination to avoid collisions and manage space activities. |
SWaP | Size, Weight, and Power - Key spacecraft design constraints. |
TABS | Thrust-Augmented Backup System - Emergency propulsion system. |
TBD | To Be Determined - Placeholder for undefined requirements. |
TC | Telecommand - Commands sent from ground to a satellite. |
TCS | Thermal Control System - System managing spacecraft temperature. |
TID | Total Ionizing Dose - Cumulative radiation exposure measure. |
TLE | Two-Line Element - Format for describing orbital parameters. |
TM | Telemetry - Data transmitted from a satellite to the ground. |
TPS | Thermal Protection System - Heat shield and thermal management. |
TRL | Technology Readiness Level - Scale used to assess the maturity of technologies for space use. |
TT&C | Telemetry, Tracking, and Command - Key functions of satellite-ground communication. |
TVAC | Thermal Vacuum - Testing environment simulating space conditions. |
UHF | Ultra High Frequency - Radio frequency band used in space communications. |
UK | United Kingdom - Nation with growing space capabilities and programs. |
UKSA | UK Space Agency - British government space agency. |
UKSC | UK Space Command - British military space operations organization. |
UN | United Nations - Oversees international treaties and policies related to space activities. |
UPL | Upload - Process of sending data to a spacecraft. |
VDES | VHF Data Exchange System - Communication standard for maritime and satellite communications. |
VHF | Very High Frequency - Radio frequency band used in space communications. |
VSWR | Voltage Standing Wave Ratio - Measure of antenna performance. |
WDM | Wavelength Division Multiplexing - Technique for optical communications. |
XPL | Cross-Polarization - Measure of antenna signal isolation. |