Starfire

WEAPONS AND ACRONYMS

9K720—Russian air-launched antispacecraft missile

B-1B Lancer (“Bone”)—American long-range heavy bomber

BOHM (“bomb”)—borohydrogen metaoxide, an oxidizer in advanced hybrid rocket engines

BOR-5 Buran—unmanned Soviet space shuttle

C-23C Sherpa—American short-haul cargo plane

Elektron—Russian spaceplane

Gvozd’ (Hobnail)—Russian space-borne laser

Hydra—American space-based laser

Iskander—Russian short- to medium-range ballistic missile

Kingfisher—a constellation of American antispacecraft and ground-attack space-based weapons

“leopards”—Laser Pulse Detonation Rocket System, an advanced hybrid turbofan/scramjet/rocket engine

MiG-31D—Mikoyan-Gurevich-31D, Soviet and Russian advanced high-speed interceptor; the “D” model is used to launch antisatellite missiles

Mjollnir—“Thor’s Hammer,” American space-launched land-attack projectile

nantenna—nanoscopic rectifying antenna, used to convert light to electric power

Progress—Russian unmanned space transportation module

rectenna—rectifying antenna, a device that converts electromagnetic energy into direct current electricity

S-9, S-19, S-29—American single-stage-to-orbit spaceplanes

S-500S—Russian surface-to-air missile system capable of attacking spacecraft in low Earth orbit

scramjet—supersonic ramjet, an advanced air-breathing engine that can propel an aircraft beyond three times the speed of sound

Skybolt—American space-based free electron laser

SL-16—Russian heavy space launch rocket

Soyuz—Russian manned space transportation capsule

ACES—Advanced Crew Escape Suit, a light-duty space suit

CBP—Customs and Border Protection

CID—Cybenetic Infantry Device, a manned robot

COIL—Chlorine-Oxygen-Iodine Laser, an American laser system

DB—“duck blind,” a known base or site with antispacecraft weapons

DEFCON—Defense Condition, a gradual escalation in readiness for nuclear war

EEAS—Electronic Elastomeric Activity Suit

EMP—Electromagnetic Pulse, a massive discharge of energy from a nuclear explosion that can damage electronics at long distances

ICBM—Intercontinental Ballstic Missile

JASSM—Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile, an American long-range cruise missile

LCVG—Liquid Cooling and Ventilation Garment, worn under a space suit to keep the wearer comfortable

LOX—liquid oxygen

MC—Mission Commander, the “copilot” aboard a spacecraft

MHD—magnetohydrodynamic generator, produces electricity by spinning plasma through a magnetic field

MRE—Meals Ready to Eat, American field ration

NRL—Naval Research Laboratory

PAC-3—Patriot Advanced Capability, an American surface-to-air missile with an antiballistic-missile capability

PLSS—Primary Life-Support System — the backpack worn by astronauts that provides oxygen, power, and environmental controls

ROS—Russian Orbital Section, the Russian-built portion of the International Space Station

SAFER—Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue, an American device worn by astronauts conducting an EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) to maneuver back to safety if disconnected from a tether

SBIRS—Space-Based Infrared System, American next-generation missile detection and tracking system

SBR—Space-Based Radar, American advanced space and Earth surveillance system

UC—University of California college system

WCS (“wicks”)—Waste Containment System, a commode used on spacecraft