Glossary Terms Archive - Page 7 of 25 - TSTI

Archives: Glossary Terms

TSTI Admin No Comments March 30, 2026

combustion chamber

The compartment in a thermodynamic rocketA fluid-dynamics concept that says as low-velocity gases pass into the converging part of a nozzleA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More, they accelerateA fluid-dynamics concept that says as low-velocity gases pass into the converging part of a nozzle, they accelerate to the speed of sound at the narrowest section (throat). Then, after they pass through the throat, they expand and accelerate to supersonic speeds. This principle is the basis for creating thrust in a thermodynamic rocket. More to the speedHow fast an object's speed is changing when we apply a force to it. During acceleration, speed increases. During deceleration, speed decreases. More of sound at the narrowest section (throat). Then, after they pass through the throat, they expand and accelerateA fluid-dynamics concept that says as low-velocity gases pass into the converging part of a nozzle, they accelerate to the speed of sound at the narrowest section (throat). Then, after they pass through the throat, they expand and accelerate to supersonic speeds. This principle is the basis for creating thrust in a thermodynamic rocket. More to supersonic speeds. This principle is the basis for creating thrustA type of rocket system that heats a propellant by passing it through a sustained electric arc, then ejects the energized gas through a nozzle. Its specific impulse is high compared to chemical rockets, but its thrust is very low. More […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments March 30, 2026

commands

Instruction sets that tell a spacecraft’s computer to take some action or update a critical software part. When a spacecraft receivesa command, it typically stores the command, then re-transmits it to the ground station that sent it, to confirm its validity.

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

commercialization

Changing the space industry from a government-spending arena to a space-industry investing arena. As more companies see a profit from space products and services, more companies will want to participate in the industry.

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

commissioning

A spacecraft’s on-orbit checkout after launch. Operators turn on and check every subsystemThe busThe bus provides "housekeeping" functions necessary to make the payload work. Includes various subsystems that produce/distribute electrical power, maintain correct temperature, process and store data, communicate with other spacecraft and Earth-bound operators, control the spacecraft's orientation, and hold everything together. More provides “housekeeping” functions necessary to make the payloadAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More work. Includes various subsystems that produce/distribute electrical powerOrbiting spacecraft periodically pass through Earth’s shadow (enter eclipse). During these eclipse periods, the incident solar energy drops to zero, and the solar cells stop producing power. More, maintain correct temperatureA method to maintain a spacecraft's internal temperature using a closed-loop control system to measure current temperature and adjust inputs, outputs and internal heat flow. It requires a working fluid, heaters, pumps, or other mechanical devices. More, process and store data, communicate with other spacecraft and Earth-bound operators, controlThe job of the attitude determination and control subsystem (ADCS) is to keep its spacecraft pointed in the right direction. More the spacecraft’s orientation, and hold everything together. More to determine […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 9, 2024

communication

The exchange of commandsInstruction sets that tell a spacecraft’s computer to take some action or update a critical software part. When a spacecraft receivesa command, it typically stores the command, then re-transmits it to the ground station that sent it, to confirm its validity. More and engineering data between a spacecraft and its ground controllers. […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

communication and data-handling subsystem

An assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystemAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystemAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More (CDHS) acts as the earsAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More, brainAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More, and mouthAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More of the spacecraft • It has two primary […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

communication architecture

The configuration of satellites and ground stations in a space system. It includes the network that links them together. It’s four elements are spacecraft, ground stations, control centerThe command authority that directs the spacecraft and all other elements of the network. It can have subordinate centers to assist with launch, communicationAn assembly of spacecraft components that collect, process, store, and transmit payload-mission and bus-housekeeping data. The communication and data-handling subsystem (CDHS) acts as the ears, brain, and mouth of the spacecraft • It has two primary portions — communication and data handling • It translates raw data from the payloads and subsystems into useful information and sends it to the ground system • Commands from ground controllers generally request information from and give specific instructions to individual subsystems More, and other mission elements. […]

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

communication satellite

Spacecraft with electronic transponders onboard that receive messages in radio signals from ground stations and repeat them back to the ground, often to locations different from that of the transmitted signal. We use them to carry conversations, pass data files, and transmit various media messages, such as radio and television.

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TSTI Admin No Comments October 7, 2024

conduction

Heat transfer from hot to cold by direct contact with a solid medium. Example: feeling heat at one end of a steel rod sitting in a fire.

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TSTI Admin No Comments April 1, 2026

conductor

A material with a low electrical and/or thermalA material with a low electrical and/or thermalA material with a low electrical and/or thermal resistance, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity so we use it in electrical wires. More resistanceA material with a low electrical and/or thermal resistance, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity so we use it in electrical wires. More, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity so we use it in electrical wires. More resistanceA material with a low electrical and/or thermalA material with a low electrical and/or thermal resistance, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity so we use it in electrical wires. More resistanceA material with a low electrical and/or thermal resistance, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity so we use it in electrical wires. More, such as most metals. Copper is a good conductor of electricity […]

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