| AC | alternating current |
| AFRL | Air Force Research Laboratory |
| ALM | autonomous logistics management |
| ANT | adaptive network topology |
| AR&D | autonomous rendezvous and docking |
| ASRAT | Astrophysics Sounding Rocket Assessment Team |
| ASRG | Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator |
| ATA | Allen Telescope Array |
| CCD | charge-coupled device |
| CG | center of gravity |
| CMOS | complementary metal oxide semiconductor |
| CNT | carbon nanotube |
| CPS | cyber-physical system |
| CTE | coefficient of thermal expansion |
| DC | direct current |
| DDM | direct digital manufacturing |
| DOD | Department of Defense |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| DOF | degrees of freedom |
| D&T | distribution and transmission |
| E3 | environment, economy, and energy |
| ECLSS | environmental control and life support system |
| EDL | entry, descent, and landing |
| EELV | Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle |
| EP | electric propulsion |
| ETDP | Exploration Technology Development Program |
| EVA | extravehicular activity |
| FAST | Fast Access Testbed Spacecraft |
| FDIR | fault detection, isolation, and recovery |
| GCR | galactic cosmic radiation |
| GEO | geosynchronous Earth orbit |
| GN&C | guidance, navigation, and control |
| GPU | graphical processor units |
| GRM | generic reference mission |
| H2 | hydrogen |
| HDWL | hybrid Doppler wind lidar |
| HEFT | Human Exploration Framework Team |
| IBIS | Integrated Blanket/Interconnect System |
| ICMSE | integrated computational materials science and engineering |
| IHPRPT | Integrated High Payoff Rocket Propulsion Technology |
| IMM | inverted metamorphic |
| IMU | inertial measurement unit |
| IR | infrared |
| ISHM | integrated systems health management |
| Isp | specific impulse |
| ISRU | in situ resource utilization |
| ISS | International Space Station |
| ITAR | International Traffic in Arms Regulations |
| JAXA | Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency |
| JIMO | Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter |
| kW | kilowatt |
| LEO | low Earth orbit |
| LH2 | liquid hydrogen |
| LILT | low-intensity/low-temperature |
| LOX | liquid oxygen |
| LTD | low-temperature detector |
| M | mach number |
| M&S | modeling and simulation |
| MCP | microchannel plate |
| MEMS | micro-electro-mechanical system |
| MEO | mid-Earth orbit |
| MLI | multi-layer insulation |
| MMOD | micrometeoroid and orbital debris |
| NACA | National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| NDE | non-destructive evaluation |
| NEA | near-Earth asteroid |
| NEO | near-Earth object |
| NERVA | Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application |
| NIAC | NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (program); NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts |
| NIST | National Institute of Standards and Technology |
| NNI | National Nanotechnology Initiative |
| NRC | National Research Council |
| NSF | National Science Foundation |
| NTR | nuclear thermal rocket |
| OANM | onboard autonomous navigation and maneuvering |
| OCT | Office of the Chief Technologist |
| OSR | Orbital Sounding Rocket |
| PLSS | personal life support system |
| PNT | position, navigation, and timing |
| PV | photovoltaic |
| QE | quantum efficiency |
| QFD | quality function deployment |
| R&D | research and development |
| RBCC | rocket-based combined cycle |
| RDSP | robotic drilling and sampling processing |
| RF | radio frequency |
| RFID | radio frequency identification |
| RLCAS | routine low cost access to space |
| ROIC | readout integrated circuit |
| RP | rocket propellant (hydrocarbon-based) |
| RPS | radioisotope power system(s) |
| RTG | radioisotope thermoelectric generator |
| SDR | software defined radio |
| SEE | single event effects |
| SEP | solar electric propulsion |
| SPE | solar particle event |
| SWAP | size, weight, and power |
| SWNT | single wall nanotube |
| TA | technology area |
| TA01 | Launch Propulsion Systems Technology Area |
| TA02 | In-Space Propulsion Technologies Technology Area |
| TA03 | Space Power and Energy Storage Technology Area |
| TA04 | Robotics, TeleRobotics, and Autonomous Systems Technology Area |
| TA05 | Communication and Navigation Technology Area |
| TA06 | Human Health, Life Support, and Habitation Systems Technology Area |
| TA07 | Human Exploration Destination Systems Technology Area |
| TA08 | Science Instruments, Observatories, and Sensor Systems Technology Area |
| TA09 | Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems Technology Area |
| TA10 | Nanotechnology Technology Area |
| TA11 | Modeling, Simulation, and Information Technology and Processing Technology Area |
| TA12 | Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing Technology Area |
| TA13 | Ground and Launch Systems Processing Technology Area |
| TA14 | Thermal Management Systems Technology Area |
| TABS | technology area breakdown structure |
| TBCC | turbine-based combined cycle |
| TDRSS | Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System |
| TPS | thermal protection system(s) |
| TRL | technology readiness level |
| USAF | U.S. Air Force |
| UV | ultraviolet |
| V&V | verification and validation |
| VASIMR | Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket |
| VDFL | virtual digital flight leader |
| VSM | vehicle systems management |
| ZBO | zero boil-off |
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