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Human Exploration of Space: A Review of NASA's 90-Day Study and Alternatives (1990)

Chapter: Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Technical Terms

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Suggested Citation:"Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Technical Terms." National Research Council. 1990. Human Exploration of Space: A Review of NASA's 90-Day Study and Alternatives. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10985.
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Page 49
Suggested Citation:"Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Technical Terms." National Research Council. 1990. Human Exploration of Space: A Review of NASA's 90-Day Study and Alternatives. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10985.
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Page 50

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Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Technical Terms ALS ESA EVA g;l-g GNP HEI LEO NASA NASP NRC NSC SEALAR SSF SSME STS aerobraking cross range capability Advanced Launch System European Space Agency extra vehicular activity gravity; equivalent to one times the acceleration of gravity Gross National Product Human Exploration Initiative low Earth orbit National Aeronautics and Space Administra- tion National Aerospace Plane National Research Council National Space Council Sea Launch and Recovery vehicle Space Station Freedom Space Shuttle Main Engine Space Transportation System Use of a planet's upper atmosphere as a brake to slow the entry of a spaceship, rather than braking by propulsive methods. The maneuvering capability of a spacecraft in orbit as well as after reentering the Earth's atmosphere. The shuttle, for example, has rea- sonably good cross range capability, due largely 49

50 ACRONYMS, ABBREVL4TIONS, ED TECHNICS TEES to having wings, while the reentry capsules em- ployed in the early US space program had lit- tle maneuverability and were dependent on the trajectory of their orbit. cryogenic fuels Fuels stored at very low temperatures to max- imize the energy density per unit volume of storage capacity. The fuels typically are gases at room temperature, but are stored at temper- atures at which they are liquids. specific impulse The measure of an engine's efficiency; the ratio of pounds of thrust produced per pounds of fuel flowing through the engine each second.

Next: Appendix A: December 4, 1989, Letter from Vice President Dan Quayle to Dr. Frank Press and Dr. Press »
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