Glossary S

SME stands for small and medium-sized enterprises. These are businesses that are smaller in size than large enterprises, but larger than microbusinesses.

There are no strict definitions of what constitutes a small, medium, or large enterprise, as these categories can vary depending on the industry and country in which the business operates. However, in general, small businesses are typically defined as having fewer employees and less annual revenue than medium or large enterprises. Similarly, medium businesses are typically smaller than large enterprises, but larger than small businesses.

SMEs are an important part of the economy in many countries, as they often make up a significant portion of businesses and contribute to economic growth and job creation. They may face unique challenges and opportunities compared to larger enterprises, and may require different types of support and resources in order to succeed.

There are many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the aerospace industry that provide a wide range of products and services. Some examples of SMEs in this industry include:

1. Aerospace component manufacturers: These companies produce parts and components for use in aircraft and spacecraft, such as engines, landing gear, and avionics systems.

2. Aerospace engineering firms: These companies provide engineering design and consulting services for aerospace projects, including the development of new aircraft and spacecraft designs.

3. Aerospace testing and certification organizations: These companies provide testing and certification services to ensure that aerospace products meet safety and performance standards.

4. Aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) companies: These companies provide maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for aircraft and aerospace equipment.

5. Aerospace supply chain companies: These companies provide a variety of products and services to support the aerospace industry, including logistics, warehousing, and distribution services.

In addition to these examples, there are many other types of SMEs in the aerospace industry, including companies that produce aerospace software, aircraft interiors, and aerospace materials.

SoC stands for System on a Chip. It refers to a type of electronic system that integrates multiple components onto a single microchip.

SOC stands also for Systems Operations Center. It refers to a central facility where personnel monitor and control the operation of complex systems, such as spacecraft or satellite networks.

SOC --->Start of climb at missed approach

Deutsch: Sojourner (Marsfahrzeug) / Español: Sojourner (vehículo marciano) / Português: Sojourner (veículo marciano) / Français: Sojourner (véhicule martien) / Italiano: Sojourner (veicolo marziano)

Sojourner in the space industry context refers to the first Mars rover deployed by NASA as part of the Mars Pathfinder mission. Launched on December 4, 1996, and landing on Mars on July 4, 1997, Sojourner marked humanity's first use of a rover to explore the surface of another planet remotely. This small, six-wheeled robotic vehicle was designed to test the feasibility of low-cost landings on and exploration of the Martian surface. It carried scientific instruments to analyze the Martian atmosphere, climate, and geology, specifically the composition of rocks and soil.

"Satcom on the move" (SOTM) refers to the use of satellite communication (satcom) systems to provide connectivity and communication services to vehicles or other mobile platforms while they are in motion. This can include vehicles on the ground, such as cars, trucks, and buses, as well as aircraft, ships, and other vessels.

Deutsch: Schallabsorption / Español: Absorción de sonido / Português: Absorção de som / Français: Absorption acoustique / Italiano: Assorbimento del suono

Sound absorption in the space industry context refers to the use of materials and technologies designed to reduce noise levels within spacecraft, satellites, and space stations. Given the confined environments in space missions, managing sound levels is crucial for protecting the hearing, health, and overall well-being of astronauts. Sound absorption techniques help mitigate the effects of equipment vibrations, operational noises, and other acoustic sources, creating a more comfortable and less stressful living and working environment in space.

Soyuz is a transliteration of the Cyrillic text Союз (Russian and Ukrainian, 'Union').

Deutsch: Weltraum / Español: Espacio / Português: Espaço / Français: Espace / Italiano: Spazio /

Everything beyond Earth's atmosphere is called space (outer space).

The industry encompassing rockets, satellites, and space exploration is commonly referred to as the "space industry" or the "space sector." This industry involves a wide range of activities related to the design, development, manufacturing, and operation of spacecraft, launch vehicles (rockets), satellites, and associated technologies. It also includes space exploration missions conducted by space agencies, private companies, and international collaborations.

Deutsch: Raumschiff / Español: Nave espacial / Português: Nave espacial / Français: Vaisseau spatial / Italiano: Astronave /

A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine that is designed and built to operate outside of the Earth's atmosphere, in space. Spacecraft can be classified into two main categories: artificial satellites and manned spacecraft.

Deutsch: Raumfahrtnavigation / Español: Navegación espacial / Português: Navegação espacial / Français: Navigation spatiale / Italiano: Navigazione spaziale

Spacecraft Navigation in the space industry context refers to the techniques and systems used to determine the position, velocity, and orientation of spacecraft relative to celestial bodies or other spacecraft, and to control their trajectory and attitude throughout their mission. This includes everything from launch, orbital insertion, station-keeping, maneuvering within a celestial body's orbit, to interplanetary travel, and re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Effective navigation is crucial for mission success, ensuring that spacecraft reach their intended destinations, perform required maneuvers accurately, and return safely.

English: Spacefaring / Deutsch: Weltraumfahrend / Español: Viaje espacial / Português: Viajem espacial / Français: Voyage spatial / Italiano: Viaggiare nello spazio /

In the realm of the space industry, spacefaring is a term that encapsulates the activities and capabilities related to venturing into space. It refers to the endeavors, technologies, and expertise required to explore and utilize the cosmos beyond our planet. This article will provide a comprehensive understanding of spacefaring in the context of the space industry, highlighting examples, associated risks, and application areas. Additionally, it will touch upon the historical and legal foundations of spacefaring and conclude with a list of similar concepts and a summary.

SpaceLab was a program developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) in the 1980s and 1990s to promote the use of the Space Shuttle as a platform for conducting scientific research in microgravity. The program involved the development and deployment of a series of payloads, or specialized research modules, that were carried aboard the Space Shuttle and installed in the payload bay.

Deutsch: Raumflugzeug / Español: Avión Espacial / Português: Avião Espacial / Français: Avion Spatial / Italiano: Astronave /

In the space industry context, a spaceplane is a vehicle that combines features of both aircraft and spacecraft, designed to operate in both the atmosphere of Earth and outer space. This enables it to take off and land like an airplane while also having the capability to enter space, conduct operations in orbit, and then return to Earth. Spaceplanes can be crewed or uncrewed and are developed for a variety of purposes, including space tourism, satellite deployment, space station resupply, and research.

A spaceport is a specialized facility that is used for the launching and landing of spacecraft and other aerospace vehicles. Spaceports can be used for a variety of purposes, including the launching of satellites, the sending of humans into space, and the landing and recovery of spacecraft.

Deutsch: SpaceShipTwo / Español: SpaceShipTwo / Português: SpaceShipTwo / Français: SpaceShipTwo / Italiano: SpaceShipTwo

SpaceShipTwo in the space industry context refers to a suborbital, air-launched spaceplane developed by Virgin Galactic for commercial space tourism. It is part of a class of vehicles designed to take passengers on brief journeys to the edge of space, offering them the experience of weightlessness and a view of Earth from the upper atmosphere. SpaceShipTwo is carried aloft by a mother ship, WhiteKnightTwo, to a high altitude, where it is then released and ignites its rocket motor to propel itself to suborbital space.

SpaceX is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk with the goal of reducing space transportation costs and enabling the colonization of Mars. It designs, manufactures, and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.

Deutsch: Spektrograph / Español: Espectrógrafo / Português: Espectrógrafo / Français: Spectrographe / Italiano: Spettrografo /

In the space industry context, a spectrograph is a scientific instrument used to disperse light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation into its component wavelengths (spectrum) and record the resulting spectrum in a way that can be analyzed. In space missions, spectrographs are essential tools for studying the composition, temperature, density, and motion of astronomical objects and interstellar mediums. They are commonly used on space telescopes, planetary probes, and satellites to gather detailed information about planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae, among other celestial bodies and phenomena.

In the dynamic world of aerospace, precise measurements and data collection are paramount for safety, efficiency, and scientific exploration. One instrument that plays a pivotal role in these endeavors is the spectrometer. Spectrometers are devices designed to analyze and measure the properties of light and other electromagnetic waves.

Spectroscopy is the field of study that measures and interprets the electromagnetic spectra that result from the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter as a function of the wavelength or frequency of the radiation.