Space Terminology and Acronyms
From NewMarsWiki
- AU
- Astronomical Unit.
- CEV
- Crew Exploration Vehicle
- CLV
- Crew Launch Vehicle
- Da Stick
- Slang for the CLV proposed by Dr. Griffen for the VSE.
- DRM
- Design Reference Mission - NASA's baseline plan for getting to Mars.
- EVA
- Extra-Vehicular Activites - Spacewalks
- GEO
- Geosynchronous of Geostationary Orbit
- HLV
- Heavy Lift Vehicle
- ISP
- see Specific impulse
- ISPP
- In-Situ Propellant Production
- ISS
- International Space Station
- ISRU
- In-Situ Recources Utilisation
- LEO
- Low Earth Orbit
- LSS
- Life Support Systems
- MAV
- Martian Ascent Vehicle
- MEPAG
- Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group
- MCP
- Mechanical Counter Pressure - A kind of spacesuit
- MRO
- Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
- MSL
- Mars Science Laboratory
- NEP
- Nuclear Electric Propulsion
- NTR
- Nuclear Thermal Rocket
- RTG
- Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator
- SSTO
- A Single Stage to Orbit rocket
- SSME
- Space Shuttle Main Engine
- Specific anything
- Means it refers to the amount of one quantity in reference to its mass
- Specific Energy
- The amount of energy stored in a quantity of matter, sometimes refered to as its energy density, typicaly measured in MJ/kg
- Specific Impulse
- The change in momentum a quantity of fuel can provide, generally measured in the number of secounds 1 kg of fuel can provide 1 G worth of thrust
- Specific Power
- The amount of energy a propellant continually produces per unit of mass, measured in W/Kg or kW/kg as appropriate. The mass of the propellant may or may not be included in the equation. Sometimes used to refer to specific thrust.
- Specific Thrust
- The amount of thrust a engine can provide per unit of mass, chemical engines do fairly well while most electric are very poor.
- TSTO
- A Two Stage to Orbit rocket
- TMI
- Trans-Mars Injection - the engine fire which provides the delta-V to transit from Earth to Mars.
- VSE
- Vision for Space Exploration
