Return to KSC Home PageA/A Air-to-air
A/G Air-to-ground
A/L Approach and landing
AA Accelerometer assembly
ABE Arm-based electronics
ACCU Audio central control unit
ACE Automatic checkout equipment
ACIP Aerodynamic coefficient identification package
ACK Acknowledge
ADI Attitude director indicator
ADS Air data system
ADS Audio distribution system
ADTA Air data transducer assembly
AFB Air Force Base
AFD Aft flight deck
AFRSI Advanced flexible reusable surface insulation
AFSCF Air Force Satellite Control Facility
AFTA Aft frame tilt actuator
AGL Above ground level
AGS Anti-gravity suit
ALC Aft load controller
ALCA Aft load controller assembly
ALT Approach and landing test
AMC Aft motor controller
AMEU Alpha Mach indicator electronic unit
AMI Alpha Mach indicator
AOA Abort once around
APC Aft power controller
APCA Aft power controller assembly
APU Auxiliary power unit
ARF Assembly and refurbishment facility
ARIA Advanced range instrumentation aircraft
ARPCS Atmosphere revitalization pressure control system
ARS Air revitalization system
ASA Aerosurface servoamplifier
ASCS Atmosphere storage and control subsystem (Spacelab)
ASE Airborne support equipment
ASI Augmented spark igniter
ATC Air traffic control
ATCS Active thermal control system
ATE Automatic test equipment
ATO Abort to orbit
ATU Audio terminal unit
ATVC Ascent thrust vector control
AUX Auxiliary
AVVEU Altitude/vertical velocity indicator electronic unit
AVVI Altitude/vertical velocity indicator
BDA Backup drive amplifier
BFC Backup flight control
BFCS Backup flight control system
BFS Backup flight system
BITE Built-in test equipment
BSM Booster separation motor
C&T Communications and tracking
C/W Caution and warning
CAPS Crew altitude protection system
CCA Communications carrier assembly
CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
CCMS Checkout, control and monitor system
CCTV Closed-circuit television
CCU Crew communications unit
CCU Communications carrier umbilical
CCV Chamber coolant valve
CDF Confined detonating fuse
CDI Course deviation indicator
CDMS Command and data management system
CDS Central data subsystem
c.g. Center of gravity
CEIT Crew equipment interface test
CI Course (deviation display) invalid
CIA Controller interface assembly
CICU Communication interface control unit
CIS Communications interface system
CITE Cargo integration test equipment
CIU Communication interface unit
CO Carbon monoxide
CO2 Carbon dioxide
COAS Crewman optical alignment sight
CPI Crosspointer indicator
CPU Central processor unit
CRT Cathode ray tube
CSS Control stick steering
D&C Displays and controls
DA Deployed assembly
DA Distribution assembly
DAP Digital autopilot
DBC Data bus coupler
DBIA Data bus isolation amplifier
DBN Data bus network
DCC Data computation complex (JSC)
DCM Display and control module
DDT&E Design, development, test and evaluation
DDU Display driver unit
DEA Deployed electronics assembly
DEU Display electronics unit
DFI Development flight instrumentation
DFRF Dryden Flight Research Facility
DHE Data-handling equipment
DK Display keyboard
DME Distance-measuring equipment
DOD Department of Defense
DOMSAT Domestic satellite
dP/dT Delta pressure/delta time
DPA Data processing assembly
DPS Data processing system
DSC Dedicated signal conditioner
DSN Deep-Space Network
DU Display unit
EAFB Edwards Air Force Base
EAS Equivalent airspeed
ECG Electrocardiograph
ECLSS Environmental control and life support system
ECU Electrical control unit
EED Electroexplosive device
EES Escape ejection suit
EI Entry interface
EIU Engine interface unit
EMK Emergency medical kit
EMU Extravehicular mobility unit
EPDS Electrical power distribution subsystem
EPDU Electrical power distribution unit
EPS Electrical power system
ESA European Space Agency
ESA Explosive safe area (KSC)
ESRO European Space Research Organization
ESS Equipment support section
ESS Essential
ESVS Escape suit ventilation system
ET External tank
ETR Eastern test range
EVA Extravehicular activity
FA Flight aft
FAA Federal Aviation Agency
FC Flight control
FC Flight critical
FC Fuel cell
FCA Forward controller assembly
FCL Freon coolant loop
FCOS Flight computer operating system
FCOS Flight control operational software
FCP Fuel cell power plant
FCR Flight Control Room
FCS Flight control system
FDF Flight data file
FDM Frequency division multiplexer
FES Flash evaporator system
FF Flight forward
FL Forward link
FLCA Forward load controller assembly
FM Frequency modulation, frequency modulated
FMSP FM signal processor
FPCA Forward power controller assembly
fps Feet per second
fps2 Feet per second squared
FRCI Fibrous refractory composite insulation
FRCS Forward reaction control system
FRSI Flexible reusable surface insulation
FSS Fixed service structure
G&NGuidance and navigation
G/S Guided steering
GCIL Ground command interface logic
GH 2 Gaseous hydrogen
GN 2 Gaseous nitrogen
GN&C Guidance, navigation and control
GMT Greenwich Mean Time
GO 2 Gaseous oxygen
GPC General-purpose computer
GS Glide slope
GSE Ground support equipment
GSFC Goddard Space Flight Center. p>GSI Glide slope indicator
GSTDN Ground space flight tracking and data network
H2 Hydrogen
HAC Heading alignment cylinder
HAINS High-accuracy inertial navigation system
HAL/S High-order assembly language/ shuttle
HDR High data rate
HDRR High-data-rate recorder
HIP Hardware interface program
HiRAP High-resolution accelerometer package
HIU Headset interface unit
H2OWater
HMCF Hypergolic Maintenance and Checkout Facility
HPFT High-pressure fuel turbopump
HPOT High-pressure oxidizer turbopump
HPU Hydraulic power unit
HRD High-rate dosimeter
HRM High-rate multiplexer
HRSI High-temperature reusable surface insulation
HSI Horizontal situation indicator
HUD Head-up display
I-load Initial-load
IC Intercomputer communication
ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization
IEA Integrated electronic assembly
IMU Inertial measurement unit
IOP Input/output processor
IP Instrumentation/pulse code modulation master unit data bus
IPL Initial program load
ITA Integrated test article
IU Interface unit
IUS Inertial upper stage
IVA Intravehicular activity
JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory
JSC Johnson Space Center.p> kbps kilobits per second
KBU Keyboard unit
KSA Ku-band single access
KSC Kennedy Space Center.p>KUSP Ku-band signal processor
LCA Load controller assembly
LCC Launch Control Center (KSC)
LCG Liquid-cooled garment
LCVG Liquid cooling and ventilation garment
LDR Low data rate
LED Light-emitting diode
LESS Leading edge structure subsystem
LETF Launch Equipment Test Facility (KSC)
LH2 Liquid hydrogen
LiOH Lithium hydroxide
LO2 Liquid oxygen
LPFT Low-pressure fuel turbopump
LPOT Low-pressure oxidizer turbopump
LPS Launch processing system
LRSI Low-temperature reusable surface insulation
LRU Line-replaceable unit
LVLH Local vertical/local horizontal
LWHS Lightweight headset
MA Multiple-access
MAC Mean aerodynamic chord
MADS Modular auxiliary data system
MBK Medications and bandage kit
Mbps Megabits per second
MCC Main combustion chamber
MCC-H Mission Control Center-Houston
MCDS Multifunction CRT display system
MCIU Manipulator controller interface unit
MCM MADS control module
MCP Monitoring and control panel
MDA Motor drive amplifier
MDD Mate/demate device
MDF Mild detonating fuse
MDM Multiplexer/demultiplexer
MEC Master events controller
MECO Main engine cutoff
MEP Minimum entry point
MET Mission elapsed time
MFV Main fuel valve
MHA Multiple headset adapter
MIA Multiplexer interface adapter
MLG Main landing gear
MLP Mobile launcher platform
MLS Microwave landing system
MM Major mode or mass memory
MMC Mid motor controller
MMCA Mid motor controller assembly
MMH Monomethyl hydrazine
MMS Multimission modular spacecraft
MMSE Multiuse mission support equipment
MMU Manned maneuvering unit
MMU Mass memory unit
MOV Main oxidizer valve
MPC Mid power controller
MPCA Mid power controller assembly
MPL Minimum power level
MRL Manipulator retention latch
MPM Manipulator positioning mechanism
MPS Main propulsion system
MPSR Multipurpose Support Room
MPST Multipurpose support team
MPTA Main propulsion test article
MRL Manipulator retention latch
MSBLS Microwave scan beam landing system
MSFC Marshall Space Flight Center
MTU Master timing unit
MTVC Manual thrust vector control
N2 Nitrogen
NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Nascom NASA communications network
NC Normally closed
NCC Network Control Center (GSFC)
NEP Nominal entry point
NGT NASA Ground Terminal
NH 3 Ammonia
NLG Nose landing gear
nmi Nautical mile
N2O4 Nitrogen tetroxide
NO Normally open
NOCC Network Operations Control Center (GSFC)
NSD NASA standard detonator
NSGT NASA Ground Terminal
NSP Network signal processor
NSTL National Space Technology Laboratories
NWS Nose wheel steering
O&C Operations and checkout
O&C Operations and control
O2 Oxygen
OAA Orbiter access arm
OBS Operational bioinstrumentation system
OEX Orbiter experiments
OFI Operational flight instrumentation
OI Operational instrumentation
OMRF Orbiter Modification and Refurbishment Facility
OMS Orbital maneuvering system
OPF Orbiter Processing Facility
OPOV Oxidizer preburner oxidizer valve
OPS Operational sequence
OTV Orbital transfer vehicle
OV Orbiter vehicle
Pc Chamber pressure
PAF Payload attach fitting
PAM Payload assist module
PASS Primary avionics software system
PB Playback
PBI Push button indicator
PBS Protective breathing system
PCA Pneumatic control assembly
PCA Power controller assembly
PCM Pulse code modulation
PCMMU Pulse code modulation master unit
PCR Payload changeout room
PCTR Pad connection terminal room
PDF Pocket dosimeter FEMA
PDH Pocket dosimeter high
PDL Pocket dosimeter low
PDRS Payload deployment and retrieval system
PDU Power drive unit
PEAP Personal egress air pack
PEG Powered explicit guidance
PGHM Payload ground handling mechanism
PHF Payload handling fixture
PHSF Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility
PI Payload interrogator
PIC Pyro initiator controller
PL Payload
PLB Payload bay
PLSP Payload signal processor
PLSS Portable life support system
PM Phase modulation, phase modulated
POCC Payload Operations Control Center
POR Point of resolution
POS Portable oxygen system
PPO 2 Oxygen partial pressure
PPP Payload patch panel
PRL Priority rate limiting
PROM Progammable read-only memory
PRSD Power reactant storage and distribution
psi Pounds per square inch
psia Pounds per square inch absolute
psid Pounds per square inch differential
psig Pounds per square inch gauge
PSP Payload signal processor
PTC Passive thermal control
PTT Push to talk
QD Quick disconnect
RA Radar altimeter
RAAB Remote amplifier acquisition and advisory box
rad Radiation equivalent dose
RAM Random-access memory
RAU Remote acquisition unit
RCC Reinforced carbon-carbon
RCS Reaction control system
rem Roentgen equivalent in man
RF Radio frequency
RGA Rate gyro assembly
RHC Rotational hand controller
RJD Reaction jet driver
RL Return link
RM Redundancy management
RMS Remote manipulator system
rms Root mean square
RPC Remote power controller
RPL Rated power level
RPSF Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility
RPTA Rudder pedal transducer assembly
RS Redundant set (computers)
RSF Refurbishment and Subassembly Facility (KSC)
RSS Range safety system
RSS Rotating service structure
RTC Real-time command
RTG Radioisotope thermoelectric generator
RTLS Return to launch site
RTV Room-temperature vulcanizing
S/M Systems management
SAEF Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility (KSC)
SAIL Shuttle Avionics Integration Laboratory (JSC)
SBTC Speed brake/thrust controller
SCA Sequence control assembly
SCA Shuttle carrier aircraft
SCAMA Station conferencing and monitoring arrangement
SCAPE Self-contained atmosphere protective ensemble
SCF Satellite Control Facility
SCM System control module
SCSG Strain gauge signal conditioner
SCU Signal conditioner unit
SDPC Shuttle Data Processing Complex
SEADS Shuttle entry air data system
SEC Secondary
SGLS Space-ground link system
SILTS Shuttle infrared leeside temperature sensing
SIP Strain isolation pad
SIU Signal interface unit
SLF Shuttle landing facility (KSC)
SLS Spacelab simulator
SMAB Solid Motor Assembly Building
SMS Shuttle mission simulator
SMU Speaker/microphone unit
SOMS Shuttle orbiter medical system
SOP Subsystem operating program
SPA Signal processor assembly
SPA Steering position amplifier
SPC Shuttle processing contractor
SPI Surface position indicator
SPIDPO Shuttle Payload Integration and Development Program Office
SPIF Shuttle Payload Integration Facility
SPT Steering position transducer
SOMS Shuttle orbiter medical system
SRB Solid rocket booster
SRM Solid rocket motor
SSME Space shuttle main engine
ST Star tracker
STA Structural test article
STDN Space flight tracking and data network
STS Space transportation system
SUMS Shuttle upper atmosphere mass spectrometer
T/W Thrust-to-weight
TACAN Tactical air navigation
TAEM Terminal area energy management
TDRS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
TDRSS Tracking and Data Relay Satellite system
THC Translational hand controller
TIO Target insertion orbit
TLM Telemetry
TPS Thermal protection system
TSM Tail service mast
TT&C Tracking, telemetry and command
TVC Thrust vector control
UHF Ultrahigh frequency
VAB Vehicle Assembly Building
VAFB Vandenberg Air Force Base
VCU Video control unit
VFM View finder monitor
VHF Very high frequency
VIB Vertical Integration Building
VIU Video interface unit
VPF Vertical Processing Facility
VTR Video tape recorder
WBSC Wide-band signal conditioner
WCCU Wireless crew communication unit
WCLS Water coolant loop system
WCS Waste collection system
WMC Waste management compartment
WONG Weight on nose gear
WOW Weight on wheels
WP Way point
WSB Water spray boiler
WSGT White Sands Ground Terminal
WSTF White Sands Test Facility
WTR Western test range
Length:
Inches 25.4 Millimeters (mm)
Feet 304.8 Millimeters (mm)
Yards 0.9144 Meters (m)
Miles 1.609 Kilometers (km)
Inches 2.54 Centimeters (cm)
Feet 0.3048 Meters (m)
Area:
Square Inches 6.452 Centimeters Squared (cm 2 )
Square Feet 0.0929 Meters Squared (m 2 )
Square Yards 0.8361 Meters Squared (m 2 )
1 Acre 0.4047 Hectares (ha)
Square Miles 2.59 Kilometers Squared (km 2 )
Square Miles 259.1 Hectares (ha)
Volume:
Cubic Inches 16.39 Cubic Centimeters (cm 3 )
Cubic Feet 0.0283 Cubic Meters (m 3 )
Cubic Yards 0.7646 Cubic Meters (m 3 )
Fluid Ounces 29.57 Milliliters (mL)
Fluid Quarts 0.9464 Liters (L)
Gallons 3.7854 Liters (L)
Fluid Ounces 0.0296 Liters (L)
Mass:
Ounces 28.35 Grams (g)
Pounds (lb) 0.4536 Kilograms (kg)
1 Ton (2,000 pounds) 0.9072 Metric Tons (t)
Speed:
Miles per Hour (mph) 0.447 Meters per Second (m/s)
Miles per Hour (mph) 1.609 Kilometers per Hour (km/h)
Knots 1.852 Kilometers per Hour (km/h)
Distance:
Nautical Miles (nmi) 1.852 Kilometers (km)
Statute Miles (sm) 1.609 Kilometers (km)
Nautical Miles (nmi) 1.1508 Statute Miles (sm)
Statute Miles (sm) 0.8689 Nautical Miles (nmi)
Statute Miles (sm) 1,760 Yards
Acceleration:
Inches per Second Squared 2.54 Centimeters per Second Squared (cm 2 /s) Feet per Second 0.3048 Meters per Second (m/s)
Meters per Second (m/s) 2.237 Statute Miles per Hour
Feet per Second 0.6818 Statute Miles per Hour
Feet per Second 0.5925 Nautical Miles per Hour
Pressure:
Pounds per Square Inch (psi) 6.895 Kilonewtons per Square Meter (kilopascals-kPa)
Millimeters Mercury 133.32 Newtons per Square Meter (Pascals-Pa)
Pounds per Square Inch (psi) 51.75 Millimeters of Mercury (mmHg)
Force:
Ounces Force 0.278 Newtons (N)
Pounds Force 4.448 Newtons (N)
Newtons 0.225 Pounds
Kilograms (kg) 9.807 Newtons (N)
Flow Rate:
Cubic Feet per Minute 0.283 Cubic Meters per Second (m 3 /s)
Gallons per Minute 3.7854 Liters per Minute (L/m)
Pounds Mass per Hour 0.4536 Kilograms per Hour (kg/hr)
Pounds Mass per Minute 0.4536 Kilograms per Minute (kg/m)
Pounds Mass per Second 0.4536 Kilograms per Second (kg/s)
Pounds Mass per Cubic Foot 16.02 Kilograms per Cubic Meter (kg/m 3 )
Power:
British Thermal Units (Btu) 1.054 Kilojoules per Hour (kj/hr)
Brake Horsepower 0.7457 Kilowatts (kw)
Electric Horsepower 0.746 Kilowatts (kw)
Energy:
Kilowatt Hours 3.60 Megajoules (Mj)
Temperature:
¡ F - 32
1.8 Degrees Celsius (C)
Sarah G. Keegan/Barbara E. Selby
NASA Headquarters
Washington, D.C. 20546
Kennedy Space Center
Florida 32899
Johnson Space Center
Houston, Texas 77058
Marshall Space Flight Center
Alabama 35812
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, Maryland 20771
Ames Dryden Flight Research Facility
P.O. Box 273 Edwards, California 93523
W.F. (Bill) Green
Public Relations/Technical Communications
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