Glossary S

"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: Schall / Español: Sonido / Português: Som / Français: Son / Italiano: Suono

Sound in the Space industry refers to the study and management of acoustic vibrations within spacecraft and space environments. Unlike on Earth, where sound travels through air, in the Vacuum of space, sound cannot propagate because there is no medium (such as air or Water) to carry the sound waves. However, sound is still a crucial consideration within the space industry, particularly inside spacecraft and space stations, where it can affect both the Structure and the health of astronauts.

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.

Deutsch: Schalldämmung / Español: Aislamiento acústico / Português: Insonorização / Français: Insonorisation / Italiano: Isolamento acustico

Soundproofing in the Space industry refers to techniques and materials used to reduce or mitigate the Transmission of sound, particularly in spacecraft, space stations, or launch facilities. It is crucial for protecting astronauts, sensitive equipment, and payloads from the high levels of noise generated during rocket launches, in-space operations, and by onboard systems. Effective soundproofing enhances comfort, safety, and the functionality of equipment by minimizing harmful acoustic vibrations and noise.

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).

Deutsch: Weltraummüll / Español: basura espacial / Português: detritos espaciais / Français: débris spatiaux / Italiano: detriti spaziali

Space debris refers to non-functional, human-made objects in Earth's orbit, including defunct satellites, spent rocket stages, and fragments resulting from collisions or disintegrations.

Deutsch: Weltraumschrott-Management / Español: Gestión de Desechos Espaciales / Português: Gestão de Detritos Espaciais / Français: Gestion des Débris Spatiaux / Italiano: Gestione dei Detriti Spaziali

Space Debris Management refers to the systematic strategies, technologies, and regulatory frameworks designed to mitigate, monitor, and remediate the growing population of defunct human-made objects in Earth's orbit. As orbital congestion escalates, this discipline has become critical to ensuring the long-term sustainability of space operations, safeguarding active satellites, crewed missions, and future space infrastructure from catastrophic collisions.

Deutsch: Weltraumwirtschaft / Español: Economía espacial / Português: Economia espacial / Français: Économie spatiale / Italiano: Economia spaziale

The Space Economy encompasses all economic activities and value chains linked to the exploration, research, and commercialization of space. It integrates public and private sectors, from satellite manufacturing to space tourism, and is increasingly recognized as a driver of innovation and global economic growth. This sector merges advanced technologies with traditional industries, creating new markets and opportunities.

Deutsch: Weltraumumgebung / Español: Entorno espacial / Português: Ambiente espacial / Français: Environnement spatial / Italiano: Ambiente spaziale

The Space Environment encompasses all physical, chemical, and dynamic conditions encountered beyond Earth's atmosphere, shaping the operational constraints and design requirements for spacecraft, satellites, and human spaceflight. It is a multifaceted domain governed by extreme temperatures, vacuum conditions, radiation, and microgravity, each posing unique challenges to engineering and mission planning. Understanding this environment is critical for ensuring the reliability, safety, and longevity of space-based systems.

Deutsch: Weltraumforschung / Español: Exploración espacial / Português: Exploração espacial / Français: Exploration spatiale / Italiano: Esplorazione spaziale

Space Exploration refers to the investigation and study of outer space through the use of astronomy, space Technology, and space missions. This includes manned and unmanned missions to explore Celestial bodies and gather Data on the Universe beyond Earth's Atmosphere.

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: Raumfahrtinfrastruktur / Español: Infraestructura Espacial / Português: Infraestrutura Espacial / Français: Infrastructure Spatiale / Italiano: Infrastruttura Spaziale

Space Infrastructure refers to the network of physical structures, systems, and facilities that Support the operation, Exploration, and utilization of space. This includes satellites, space stations, ground stations, Launch vehicles, and other related assets that enable activities such as communication, navigation, Earth observation, and scientific research in space.

Deutsch: Weltraumstartoperationen / Español: Operaciones de lanzamiento espacial / Português: Operações de lançamento espacial / Français: Opérations de lancement spatial / Italiano: Operazioni di lancio spaziale

Space launch operations refer to the series of activities, procedures, and Logistics involved in preparing and executing the launch of a Spacecraft or Satellite into space.

Deutsch: Weltraumfertigung / Español: Fabricación espacial / Português: Manufatura espacial / Français: Fabrication spatiale / Italiano: Produzione spaziale

Space Manufacturing refers to the production of goods and materials in outer space, leveraging the unique environmental conditions such as microgravity, vacuum, and extreme temperatures. This emerging field aims to overcome terrestrial limitations in manufacturing, enabling the creation of advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, and structures that are difficult or impossible to produce on Earth. As space exploration and commercialization accelerate, space manufacturing is poised to become a cornerstone of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and long-duration space missions.

Deutsch: Missionsplanung für Raumfahrt / Español: Planificación de misiones espaciales / Português: Planejamento de missões espaciais / Français: Planification de missions spatiales / Italiano: Pianificazione di missioni spaziali

Space Mission Planning is the systematic process of defining, designing, and coordinating all technical, operational, and logistical aspects of a space mission from inception to completion. It integrates engineering, scientific, and managerial disciplines to ensure mission objectives are achieved within constraints such as budget, timeline, and safety regulations. This field is fundamental to the success of both crewed and uncrewed spaceflight, as it balances innovation with risk mitigation.

Deutsch: Space-Shuttle-Orbiter / Español: Transbordador espacial orbitador / Português: Ônibus espacial orbitador / Français: Orbiteur de la navette spatiale / Italiano: Orbiter dello Space Shuttle

The Space Shuttle Orbiter was the reusable, winged spacecraft component of NASA's Space Shuttle program, designed to transport crew and payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO) and return them safely to Earth. Operating from 1981 to 2011, it represented a pioneering effort in reusable spaceflight technology, combining the capabilities of a rocket, spacecraft, and glider. Unlike expendable launch vehicles, the Orbiter was intended to reduce the cost of space access through reusability, though operational complexities ultimately limited its economic efficiency.

Deutsch: Space Shuttle Programm / Español: Programa del Transbordador Espacial / Português: Programa do Ônibus Espacial / Français: Programme de la Navette Spatiale / Italiano: Programma dello Space Shuttle

Space Shuttle Program refers to the United States' human spaceflight program operated by NASA from 1981 to 2011. It involved the Development and operation of reusable Spacecraft known as Space Shuttles.

Deutsch: Weltraumsimulation / Español: Simulación espacial / Português: Simulação espacial / Français: Simulation spatiale / Italiano: Simulazione spaziale

Space simulation refers to the controlled replication of extraterrestrial environments or operational conditions to test spacecraft, subsystems, and payloads prior to deployment. This discipline integrates engineering, physics, and computational modeling to validate performance, reliability, and safety under conditions that cannot be replicated on Earth without specialized facilities. Space simulations are indispensable for mitigating risks in missions where failure is not an option, such as crewed spaceflight or deep-space exploration.

Deutsch: Raumstationsmodul / Español: Módulo de estación espacial / Português: Módulo de estação espacial / Français: Module de station spatiale / Italiano: Modulo della stazione spaziale

Space Station Module refers to a self-contained unit that forms part of a space station, designed to perform specific functions such as habitation, Research, power generation, or storage. These modules are interconnected to create a larger, multi-functional Structure capable of supporting long-term human presence and scientific activities in space.