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Author Topic:   Acronyms found on space patches
SXPatches
Member

Posts: 85
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020

posted 03-07-2021 12:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SXPatches   Click Here to Email SXPatches     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I try to educate myself on the definition of acronyms found on my patches. I have a patch "Space Exploration Team" with the Space Shuttle on it. It has twelve acronyms that encircle the motif, and all of them are unknown to me.

Online searches and a 310 page downloadable PDF, "List of Acronyms Used in Space Flight" that was initially produced by NASA failed to produce results. I discovered that The Library of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic website has an extensive knowledge base of space science acronyms that have conclusively defined all twelve of the acronyms on my patch.

tothemoon
Member

Posts: 50
From: California
Registered: May 2020

posted 03-07-2021 03:25 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for tothemoon   Click Here to Email tothemoon     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Got me curious, what are the acronyms on this patch? I'm in the industry, may have some insight

Jim Behling
Member

Posts: 1611
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 03-07-2021 09:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
They aren't NASA or space science related. Those are not all acronyms but the call signs of the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) tracking sites (existing and former).
  • HULA - Hawaii Tracking Station
  • GUAM - Guam Tracking Station (GTS)
  • STC - Satellite Tracking Center or Satellite Test Center (at Sunnyvale)
  • POGO - Thule Tracking Station (TTS)
  • COOK - Vandenberg Tracking Station (VTS)
  • LION - Telemetry & Command Station (TCS) (At RAF Oakhanger)
  • BOSS - New Hampshire Station (NHS)
  • D'GARCIA - Diego Garcia Station (DGS)
  • CSOC - Consolidated Space Operations Center (at Schriever AFB)
  • PIKE - Colorado Tracking Station (CTS)
  • EVCF - Eastern Vehicle Checkout Facility (at CCAFS)
  • IOS - Indian Ocean Station (IOS)

SXPatches
Member

Posts: 85
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020

posted 03-07-2021 02:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for SXPatches   Click Here to Email SXPatches     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Jim Behling:
They aren't NASA or space science related. Those are not all acronyms but the call signs of the Air Force Satellite Control Network

Exactly, that is why I wasn't familiar with them. "GUAM" was the only one I correctly guessed, but only because I was familiar with that tracking station. The knowledge base I used provided a definition for them and expanded my knowledge of the satellite control network.

Jim definitions are even more clear; he did list all the acronyms on the patch.

FYI - lemon juice will remove rust stains from fabric without altering the color.

Jim Behling
Member

Posts: 1611
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

posted 03-08-2021 08:46 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jim Behling   Click Here to Email Jim Behling     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by SXPatches:
"GUAM" was the only one I correctly guessed, but only because I was familiar with that tracking station.
FYI, both NASA and the AF had separate tracking sites on Guam.

The NASA MSFN site was GWM and was phased out in 1989. Another NASA site was opened in 1998 and it is the GRGT. And it doesn't have a call sign since it is a TDRSS relay station.

The AFSCN GUAM station has been operational since 1965.

SXPatches
Member

Posts: 85
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020

posted 03-09-2021 12:09 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for SXPatches   Click Here to Email SXPatches     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Great background information. This will help me moving forward -- thank you.

All times are CT (US)

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