luncosim / lunco-space-jargon

Cheatsheet of space jargon

LunCo: Space Jargon Cheatsheet

How to understand professional space engineers

Specifications

• PUG – every rocket has it's payload user guide for example Falcon 9 PUG
• ICD – Interface control document
• IDD – Interface definition document
• EDS – Environmental design specification
• Data sheet – doc with detailed technical info about the device

Devices

• PCB – Printed circuit board
• HW – Hardware
• SW – Software
• TT&C – Telemetry, Tracking, and Command
• TM/TC – telemetry/telecommand, same as TT&C
• FlatSat – Engineering prototype. Real HW connection yet not assembled

Vehicle Control

• Yaw – Rotation around the vertical axis
• Pitch – Rotation around the side-to-side axis
• Roll – Rotation around the front-to-back axis
• MECO – Main Engine Cut Off
• QD – Quick Disconnect
• SES – Second Engine Start
• SECO – Second Engine Cut Off
• MAXQ or Q – Maximum Dynamic Pressure
• RCS – Reactive Control System
• SAS – Stability Augmentation System
• RF – Radio Frequency

Modelling

• CAD – Computer aided design
• CAE – Computer aided engineering
• FEA – Finite element analysis
• CFD – Computational fluid dynamics
• MBSE – Model based systems engineering
• Digital twin – computer model of the physical system
• BIM – Building Information Modeling

Procedures

• PAR – Payload acceptance review
• CDR – Critical design review
• PDR – Preliminary design review
• V&V – Verification&Validation
• RUD – Rapid unscheduled disassembly
• ISRU – In-Situ Resource Utilization
• TRL 1-9 – technology readiness level, 1 - basic research, 9 – successful mission
• SPF – Single-Point of Failure

Programs

• CLPS – Commercial Lunar Payload Services
• COTS – Commercial Orbital Transportation Services
• CRS – Commercial Resupply Program
• CCP – Commercial Crew Program

Orbits

• LEO – Low Earth Orbit
• MEO – Medium Earth Orbit
• GEO – Geostationary Orbit
• SSO – Sun Synchronous Orbit
• HEO – High Earth Orbit
• HEO – Highly Elliptical Orbit
• Molniya – Similar to a Highly Elliptical Orbit with an inclination greater than 63.4 degrees
• LTO – Lunar Transfer Orbit
• MTO – Mars Transfer Orbit

Professions

• Systems engineer –
• Chemical engineer –
• Information engineer –
• Thermal engineer –
• Mechanical engineer –
• Materials engineer –
• Process engineer –
• Electrical engineer –
• Quantum engineer –
• Nuclear engineer –

Rockets

• LOH/LOX – Liquid Hydrogen/Oxygen
• TEA-TEB – Triethylaluminum-Triethylborane
• GN2 – Gaseous Nitrogen
• RP-1 – Rocket Grade Kerosene
• SRB – Solid Rocket Booster
• SSTO – Single Stage to Orbit
• T-E – Transporter Erector
• MST – Mobile Service Tower
• VAB – Vehicle Assembly Building

Others

• Phonetic Alphabet –
• NASA REFERENCES –
• Pagheca's Acronyms list –