E
Glossary and Acronyms
GLOSSARY
astrobiology | Studies of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere. This includes the habitability of the early Earth as well as the potential for habitable environments to arise and be sustained elsewhere in the universe. |
astronomy | Acquisition of Earth-based observations of non-Earth bodies, structures, or systems. |
atmospheres | Studies of the chemistry, structure, and dynamics of the gases surrounding a planet or other material body that are held in place by the gravity of that body. |
cosmochemistry | Analytical, experimental, and theoretical studies of chemical processes in the universe. Includes studies of the chemistry and mineralogy of astromaterials (meteorites, dust, returned samples); nucleosyntheis; galactic chemical evolution; chemical modeling of solar system and planetary formation; and experimental petrology. |
exosphere | Studies of the thin, atmosphere-like volume surrounding a planet or natural satellite where molecules are gravitationally bound to that body, but where the density is too low for them to behave as a gas by colliding with each other. Includes escaping gasses (e.g., Enceladus plumes). |
geochemistry | Studies of the chemistry of planetary processes and systems. The term is usually applied to studies of larger bodies such as planets and moons. However, studies of martian meteorites and samples from the Moon may be coded as either cosmochemistry or geochemistry. Usually excludes studies of atmospheric and exospheric chemistry, which are coded under those separate headings. |
geology | Studies of planetary surface features and the surface expressions of internal processes. |
geophysics | Studies of the physical processes and physical properties of planetary bodies, and their surrounding space environment (excluding magnetospheres). |
magnetospheres | Studies of the space environment surrounding planetary bodies in which electromagnetic fields are important. Magnetospheres and Atmospheres may be used together to designate auroral zone, ionosphere, and thermosphere studies. |
planetary dynamics | Studies of orbital configuration and dynamic events contributing to the evolution of a single planetary object or planet-moon or planet-ring or moon-ring system. |
planetary protection | Studies and other activities related to processes to detect and mitigate biological and organic contamination of spacecraft systems (regardless of their origin). |
solar system dynamics | Studies of the evolution of star systems, including the structure, and dynamics of protoplanetary disks. |
spectroscopy | The acquisition and/or study of laboratory and/or remote-sensing measurements of spectroscopic properties or characteristics, without further scientific conclusions. |
ACRONYMS
AO | announcement of opportunity |
AOR | authorized organizational representative |
CDAP | Cassini Data Analysis Program (focused program element) |
COLDTech | Concepts for Ocean Worlds Life Detection Technology |
COMPLEX | Committee on Lunar and Planetary Exploration |
DAP | data analysis program |
DAPS | Data Analysis and Participating Scientists Program |
DDAP | Discovery Data Analysis Program (strategic program element) |
ELV | Expendable Launch Vehicle |
EW | Emerging Worlds (core research program element) |
EXO | Exobiology (core research program element) |
FY | fiscal year |
GPRAMA | Government Performance and Results Modernization Act |
HEO | Human Exploration and Operations |
HOTTech | Hot Operating Temperature Technology |
HW | Habitable Worlds (core research program element) |
KBO | Kuiper belt object |
LARS | Laboratory Analysis of Returned Samples (strategic program element) |
LDAP | Lunar Data Analysis Program (focused program element) |
MatISSE | Maturation of Instruments for Solar System Exploration (core technology program element) |
MDAP | Mars Data Analysis Program (strategic program element) |
NAC | NASA Advisory Council |
NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
NEO | near-Earth object |
NEOO | Near Earth Object Observations |
NFDAP | New Frontiers Data Analysis Program (strategic program element) |
NRA | NASA Research Announcement |
NRC | National Research Council |
NSPIRES | NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System |
PAST | Planetary Astronomy |
PDART | Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (strategic program element) |
PI | principal investigator |
PICASSO | Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (core technology program element) |
PME | Planetary Major Equipment (core technology program element) |
PPR | Planetary Protection Research (strategic program element) |
PSD | Planetary Science Division |
PSDS3 | Planetary Science Deep Space SmallSat Studies |
PSTAR | Planetary Science and Technology Through Analogue Research (strategic program element) |
R&A | research and analysis |
R&DA | research and data analysis |
ROSES | Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences |
SDD | selection decision document |
SIMPLEx | Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration |
SMD | Science Mission Directorate |
SO | selection official |
SPD | SMD Policy Document |
SRP | selection requirements package |
SSB | Space Studies Board |
SSO | Solar System Observations (core research program element) |
SSW | Solar System Workings (core research program element) |
TNO | transneptunian object |
TRL | technology readiness level |
XRP | Exoplanets Research (strategic program element) |
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