EEG: (electroencephalogram) This measurement is used to monitor the electrical impulses created by the human brain.
ELS: (emergency landing site) This is any one of many places around the world where the shuttle can land in case of an emergency.
EMU: (extravehicular mobility unit) This is another word for a spacesuit. Each SMS must wear one if he/she is to go outside the shuttle. The EMU provides life support and protection.
ET: (external tank) This holds the liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen which is used to fuel the shuttle's main engines. It is the largest component of the shuttle assembly.
EVA: (extra vehicular activity) This occurs when one of the SMS's puts on an EMU and goes outside the shuttle to work.
Earth observation MCS: This person analyzes the images taken by the SMS.
Earth observation SMS: This person takes four current photos of four different places on Earth. After doing so, he/she will compare the current photos to older photos of those same four areas.
Flight director: This is the individual, in mission control, responsible for making sure all preflight steps have been taken by both her/his mission control specialists and the shuttle's commander.
GNC: This is an abbreviation for guidance, navigation, and control.
GPC: (general-purpose computer) This will provide general computer functions for the shuttle.
"go": This is the response used by MCS's and SMS's when letting the commander or flight director know if they are ready for the shuttle's launch.
icon: This is another name for a picture which serves as a computer button on the screen.
infrared: This word refers to light which can't be seen by humans, but can be seen be satellites. It usually indicates the presence of heat. For example infrared sensors can be used to determine whether or not clouds are present in a given place.
initialize: This term is used when talking about sensors. It means to either set or reset the sensors to certain specifications.
kbd: (kilobaud) This is a measure of the speed of data transmission from one place to another. The higher the number, the faster the transmission.
KU-Band antenna test: It is here that the Mars obs SMS's sets the correct transmission speed and frequency for the antenna.
Kepler: This is an area found on Mars. It is named after the 17th century astronomer, Johannes Kepler. He was the first to discover that Mars orbits the Sun in an ellipse (oval) instead of a circle.
knot: This term is used to describe the speed of wind, aircraft, or ships. It is equal to approximately 1.15 miles per hour.
LDEF: This is the satellite used to scan the Martian surface.
LiOH: This is the scientific symbol for lithium hydroxide. It is used to remove carbon dioxide from the shuttle's crew compartment.
LOS: (loss of signal) This refers to when either the shuttle loses radio contact with mission control or an observer in the shuttle loses visual contact with a point on Earth.