The world of Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELV) uses many terms you may be unfamiliar with. To make the ELV coverage experience more fun and meaningful, we have provided a listing of the most frequently used abbreviations and phrases below.
| B/H |
Blockhouse |
| CCAFS |
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| DPAF |
Dual Payload Adapter Fitting |
| DSN |
Deep Space Network |
| ELV |
Expendable Launch Vehicle |
| FRR |
Flight Readiness Review |
| GN2 |
Gaseous Nitrogen |
| GPS |
Global Positioning System |
| GSE |
Ground Support Equipment |
| GSFC |
Goddard Space Flight Center |
| H/W |
Hardware |
| JPL |
Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| L-(time) |
Time remaining until launch, including time spent in holds |
| LH2 |
Liquid Hydrogen |
| LOX |
Liquid Oxygen |
| LRR |
Launch Readiness Review |
| LSM |
Launch Service Manager |
| L/V |
Launch Vehicle |
| LVDC |
Launch Vehicle Data Center |
| MDC |
Mission Director's Center |
| MER |
Mars Exploration Rover |
| MILA |
Merritt Island Launch Area |
| MIM |
Mission Integration Manager |
| MIT |
Mission Integration Team |
| MOCS2 |
Mission Operation Communication System version 2 |
| MPPF |
Multipurpose Payload Processing Facility |
| MRR |
Mission Readiness Review |
| NASA |
National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| PAF |
Payload Attach Fitting |
| P/L |
Payload |
| PHSF |
Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility |
| PLF |
Payload Fairing |
| Pre-VOS |
Pre-Vehicle On-Stand |
| RCS |
Reaction Control System |
| SAEF-2 |
Spacecraft Assembly and Encapsulation Facility-2 |
| S/C |
Spacecraft |
| Skid Strip |
Runway at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station |
| SLC |
Space Launch Complex |
| SRB |
Solid Rocket Booster |
| S/W |
Software |
| T-(time) |
Time remaining until launch, not including time spent in holds |
| TDRS |
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite |
| VAFB |
Vandenberg Air Force Base |
