| 3G | Third Generation |
| ACMI | Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation |
| ACTS | Air Combat Training Systems |
| AFSCN | Air Force Satellite Control Network |
| CDMA | Code Division Multiple Access |
| dB | Decibel |
| dBi | dB Referred to Isotropic |
| dBm | dB Referred to 1 milliWatt |
| dBw | dB Referred to 1 Watt |
| DMSP | Defense Meteorological Satellite Program |
| DOD | Department of Defense |
| DOE | Department of Energy |
| DOI | Department of the Interior |
| DOJ | Department of Justice |
| DSP | Defense Support Program |
| DWTS | Digital Wideband Transmission System |
| EMC | Electromagnetic Compatibility |
| FAA | Federal Aviation Administration |
| FCC | Federal Communications Commission |
| FLTSATCOM | Fleet Satellite Communications |
| FSK | Frequency Shift Keying |
| GEO | Geosynchronous |
| GHz | Gigahertz (109 Hertz) |
| GMF | Government Master File |
| GPS | Global Positioning System |
| GSM | Global System for Mobile Communications |
| GSO | Geosynchronous Orbit |
| HEO | High Earth Orbit |
| IMT-2000 | International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 |
| I/N | Interference-to-Noise Ratio |
| I+N | Interference plus Noise |
| ITU | International Telecommunication Union |
| ITU-R | ITU Radiocommunication Sector |
| ITU-T | ITU Telecommunication Standardization Sector |
| JTCTS | Joint Tactical Combat Training System |
| kbs | Kilobits per Second |
| kHz | Kilohertz (103 Hertz) |
| km | Kilometer |
| LEO | Low Earth Orbit |
| m | Meter |
| mbs | Megabits per Second |
| MHz | Megahertz (106 Hertz) |
| MILSTAR | Military Strategic and Tactical Relay |
| MSE | Mobile Subscriber Equipment |
| NATO | North Atlantic Treaty Organization |
| NDAA | National Defense Authorization Act |
| non-GEO | Non-Geosynchronous |
| NGSO | Non-Geosynchronous Orbit |
| NTIA | National Telecommunications and Information Administration |
| OBRA-93 | Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 |
| PCS | Personal Communications Services |
| PDT | Proliferation Detection Technology |
| RTS | Remote Tracking Station |
| RTT | Radio Transmission Technology |
| SATOPS | Satellite Operations |
| SBIRS | Space Based Infrared System |
| SCN | Satellite Control Network |
| SGLS | Space Ground Link Subsystem |
| SOCC | Satellite Operations Control Center |
| STS | Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle) |
| TACTS | Tactical Air Combat Training System |
| TDMA | Time Division Multiple Access |
| TT&C | Tracking, Telemetry, and Command |
| TVA | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| UFO | UHF Follow-On |
| UK | United Kingdom |
| USBS | Unified S-Band System |
| USCG | U.S. Coast Guard |
| USDA | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| US&P | United States and Possessions |
| W-CDMA | Wideband Code Division Multiple Access |
| WARC-92 | 1992 World Administrative Radio Conference |
| WRC-97 | 1997 World Radiocommunication Conference |
| WRC-2000 | 2000 World Radiocommunication Conference |