payload: Satellites, modules, capsules or other equipment taken into space by a space vehicle.
polar orbit: An orbit that passes over the north and south pole during each cycle.
reconnaissance satellite: A spy satellite.
RKA: "Russian Federal Space Agency;" Russian agency responsible for space research and engineering.
satellite: An object humans put into space. This is a commonly used term and makes the assumption that the reader knows that the object is manmade.
satellite flare: The effect that occurs when sunlight is reflected off of satellites.
satellite glint: See satellite flare.
search and rescue satellite: This type of satellite is used to help locate crippled or lost ships, airplanes or people in remote areas.
SNN: See United States Space Surveillance Network.
solar panel: A mechanism for capturing sunlight to be converted into electricity for power.
SUPARCO: "Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission;" the Pakistani national space agency.
space exploration satellite: A satellite that is sent deep into space to study planets and stars.
Space Launch Initiative: A joint project started in 2001 by NASA and the United States Department of Defense to study the risks, costs and long-term goals of space vehicles.
Space Race: A competition which took place in the 1950s between the United States and the Soviet Union to land man on the moon first.
space shuttle: The vehicle used by NASA to take astronauts and payloads into space.
space station: A craft designed to be a place where human beings can live in outer space for periods of time.
Space Transportation System: The official name of the space shuttle.
STS: See Space Transportation System.
synchronous orbit: A pattern of orbit for a satellite in which is rotational period is the same as the body it is orbiting, and is in the same direction.
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