Space Policy Institutions and Launch Families Study Guide

Vocabulary flashcards derived from the space policy and institutions topics outlined in the lecture notes.

FCC

Federal Communications Commission; regulates radio frequency spectrum for satellite communications in the U.S.

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; manages environmental monitoring satellites for weather forecasting and climate research.

NGA

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; collects and analyzes geospatial intelligence from satellite data.

US SPACE COM

United States Space Command; responsible for space operations and ensuring U.S. freedom of action in space.

USSF

United States Space Force; established to protect U.S. interests in space and oversee satellite operations.

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; U.S. agency responsible for civilian space program, aeronautics, and aerospace research.

DoD

Department of Defense; oversees U.S. military space activities, including satellite development, operations, and defense.

NRO

National Reconnaissance Office; operates U.S. reconnaissance satellites for intelligence gathering and national security.

DARPA

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency; funds and oversees advanced technology development for military use in space.

SDA

Space Development Agency; acquires and fields a resilient military space architecture to deter aggression.

COPUOS

UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; UN body promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

UNOOSA

UN Office for Outer Space Affairs; implements decisions of COPUOS and serves as a focal point for UN space activities.

ESA

European Space Agency; an intergovernmental organization dedicated to the exploration of space by Europe.

JAXA

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency; Japan's national aerospace and space agency.

Roscosmos

State corporation responsible for space flights, cosmonautical programs, and aerospace research of Russia.

Falcon Family (SpaceX)

A series of partially reusable orbital launch vehicles (Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy) known for cost-effectiveness. Capabilities: Medium-to-super heavy-lift, LEO, GTO, interplanetary missions. Spaceports: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Florida, USA), Kennedy Space Center (Florida, USA), Vandenberg Space Force Base (California, USA).

Atlas Family (ULA)

A family of expendable launch systems, including Atlas V. Capabilities: Medium-to-heavy lift for national security, scientific, and commercial payloads. Spaceports: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Florida, USA), Vandenberg Space Force Base (California, USA).

Delta Family (ULA)

A legacy family of expendable launch systems, with Delta IV Heavy. Capabilities: Heavy-lift for national security payloads. Spaceports: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Florida, USA), Vandenberg Space Force Base (California, USA).

Ariane Family (Arianespace)

European heavy-lift launch vehicles, such as Ariane 5 and upcoming Ariane 6. Capabilities: Heavy-lift, primarily for commercial and institutional payloads to GTO. Spaceports: Guiana Space Centre (Kourou, French Guiana).

Proton Family (Roscosmos)

Russian heavy-lift launch vehicle used for commercial and government satellite launches. Capabilities: Heavy-lift to GTO and LEO. Spaceports: Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan).

Soyuz Family (Roscosmos)

Versatile Russian rocket family, widely used for human spaceflight and satellite launches. Capabilities: Medium-lift, human spaceflight to ISS, LEO and MEO satellite insertion. Spaceports: Baikonur Cosmodrome (Kazakhstan), Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Russia), Vostochny Cosmodrome (Russia), Guiana Space Centre (Kourou, French Guiana).

Long March Family (CNSA)

A diverse series of Chinese expendable launch vehicles. Capabilities: Wide range from light-to-heavy lift, LEO, GTO, lunar, and planetary missions, human spaceflight. Spaceports: Xichang Satellite Launch Center (China), Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center (China), Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center (China), Wenchang Space Launch Site (China).

Electron (Rocket Lab)

A small-lift orbital launch vehicle designed for dedicated small satellite launches. Capabilities: Small-lift to LEO. Spaceports: Mahia Peninsula (New Zealand), Wallops Flight Facility (Virginia, USA).

Vulcan Centaur (ULA)

A next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to replace Atlas V and Delta IV. Capabilities: Medium-to-heavy lift for national security, civil, and commercial payloads to various orbits. Spaceports: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Florida, USA), Vandenberg Space Force Base (California, USA).

New Glenn (Blue Origin)

A reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle currently under development. Capabilities: Heavy-lift for commercial, military, and human spaceflight to LEO, GTO, and beyond. Spaceports: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (Florida, USA).

Starship (SpaceX)

A fully reusable super heavy-lift launch system under development. Capabilities: Super heavy-lift, interplanetary travel, orbital launches, large payload capacity to LEO, Moon, Mars. Spaceports: Starbase (Boca Chica, Texas, USA), Kennedy Space Center (Florida, USA - planned).