A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars (2026)
Chapter: Appendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations
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Suggested Citation:
"Appendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/28594.
H
Acronyms and Abbreviations
| ADD | Architecture Definition Document |
| AI | artificial intelligence |
| AS | applied science |
| BID | Blue Ice drill |
| BLiSS | bioregenerative life support system |
| BPS | biological and physical sciences |
| C&PNT | communication, position, navigation, and timing |
| CHONPS | carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur |
| CHS | Crew Health and Safety |
| COSPAR | Committee on Space Research |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| ECLSS | Environmental Control and Life Support System |
| EVA | extravehicular activity |
| EZ | exploration zone |
| GCMS | gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer |
| GPR | ground penetrating radar |
| HBS | human and biological science |
| HEOMD | Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate |
| HES | human exploration system |
| HF | human factors |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/28594.
| HiRISE | High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment |
| HOME | Habitats Optimized for Missions of Exploration |
| HRP | Human Research Program |
| HS | heliophysics science |
| HSRB | Human System Risk Board |
| ILME | integrated longitudinal martian environment |
| IR | infrared |
| ISRU | in situ resource utilization |
| ISS | International Space Station |
| IVA | intravehicular activity |
| LEO | low Earth orbit |
| LET | linear energy transfer |
| LiDAR | light detection and ranging |
| LISTER | Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity |
| LLM | large language model |
| LPS | lunar/planetary science |
| LS | landing site |
| LTE | long-term evolution |
| M2M | Moon to Mars |
| MAVEN | Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN |
| MEP | Mars Exploration Program |
| MEPAG | Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group |
| ML | machine learning |
| MLE | Mars Life Explorer |
| MOXIE | Mars Oxygen In-Situ Resource Utilization Experiment |
| mRNA | messenger ribonucleic acid |
| MRO | Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter |
| NASA | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| NIR | near infrared |
| OP | operations goal |
| P | pressure |
| PNT | position, navigation, and timing |
| PPS | physics and physical science |
| PSR | permanently shadowed region |
| RAD | Radiation Assessment Detector |
| RNA | ribonucleic acid |
| SE | science-enabling |
| SLS | Space Launch System |
| SpaceX | Space Exploration Technologies Corp. |
| STM | science traceability matrix |
| STMD | Space Technology Mission Directorate |
Suggested Citation:
"Appendix H: Acronyms and Abbreviations." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2026. A Science Strategy for the Human Exploration of Mars. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press.
doi: 10.17226/28594.
| T | temperature |
| TBIRD | TeraByte Infrared Delivery |
| TRIDENT | The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain |
| TRL | technology readiness level |
| UHF | ultrahigh frequency |
| VIPER | Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover |
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