ACS |
attitude control system |
AFRL |
Air Force Research Laboratory |
AFSPC |
Air Force Space Command |
AG&C |
adaptive guidance and control |
ALREST |
Advanced Liquid Rocket Engine Stability Technology |
ALSB |
Advanced Liquid Strap-on Booster |
APU |
Auxiliary Power Unit |
CBC |
common booster core |
CBT |
common bulkhead tanks |
CCAFS |
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
CFD |
computational fluid dynamics |
CI |
Continuous Improvement |
COMSAT |
communication satellite |
CONOPS |
concept of operations |
DDT&E |
design, development, test and evaluation |
DOD |
Department of Defense |
ECP |
Engineering Change Proposal |
EELV |
Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle |
EMA |
electro-mechanical actuator |
ERB |
Engineering Review Board |
FAA |
Federal Aviation Administration |
FAST |
Future Responsive Access to Space Technologies |
FY |
fiscal year |
GAO |
Government Accountability Office |
GEO |
geosynchronous Earth orbit |
GG |
gas generator |
GSE |
ground support equipment |
GTO |
geosynchronous transfer orbit |
HC |
hydrocarbon |
HCB |
hydrocarbon boost |
HEO |
high Earth orbit |
IHPRPT |
Integrated High Performance Rocket Propulsion Technology |
IOC |
initial operating capability |
IOC |
initial operational capability |
IPA |
independent program assessment |
IPD |
Integrated Powerhead Demonstration |
Isp |
specific impulse |
ISS |
International Space Station |
IVHM |
integrated vehicle health management |
LCH4 |
liquid methane |
LCC |
life cycle cost |
LEO |
low Earth orbit |
LES |
large expendable stage |
LH2 |
liquid hydrogen |
LO2 |
liquid oxygen |
MCC |
main combustion chamber |
MEO |
medium Earth orbit |
MLP |
mobile launch platform |
MPS |
main propulsion system |
MR |
mixture ratio |
MSFC |
Marshall Space Flight Center (NASA) |
MST |
mobile service tower |
NAFCOM |
NASA/Air Force Cost Model |
NASA |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
NASP |
National AeroSpace Plane |
NPOESS |
National Polar-Orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System |
NRC |
National Research Council |
ORSC |
oxygen rich, staged combustion |
PWR |
Pratt and Whitney Rocketdyne |
R&D |
research and development |
RBD |
reusable booster demonstrator |
RBS |
reusable booster system |
RECO |
rocket engine cut-off |
RLC |
recurring launch cost |
RLV |
reusable launch vehicle |
RP |
rocket propellant |
RTLS |
return to launch site |
S&T |
science and technology |
SES |
small expendable stage |
SLS |
Space Launch System |
SMC |
Space and Missile Systems Center |
SRB |
solid rocket booster |
SSME |
space shuttle main engine |
SSO |
Sun-synchronous orbit |
SSTO |
single stage to orbit |
TPA |
turbopump assembly |
TPS |
thermal protection system |
TRL |
technology readiness level |
TSTO |
two stages to orbit |
TVC |
thrust vector control |
VAFB |
Vandenberg Air Force Base |
VIF |
vertical integration facility |
VTHL |
vertical takeoff, horizontal landing |
WDR |
wet dress rehearsal |