| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | 8PSK | eight-state digital modulation method |
| 2. | alignment | correct aiming of antenna equipment |
| 3. | amplifier | device that increases signal strength |
| 4. | anomaly | unexpected system behavior |
| 5. | antenna | device that sends or receives signals |
| 6. | apogee | farthest orbital point from Earth |
| 7. | attenuation | loss of signal strength |
| 8. | attitude | spacecraft orientation in space |
| 9. | azimuth | horizontal pointing angle |
| 10. | bandwidth | range of usable frequencies |
| 11. | battery | stored electrical power source |
| 12. | beacon | reference signal from a satellite |
| 13. | BER | bit error rate |
| 14. | bonding | joining conductors for safety |
| 15. | bus | satellite support structure and systems |
| 16. | C-band | satellite band around 4 to 8 GHz |
| 17. | carrier | wave that carries information |
| 18. | CNR | carrier power compared with noise |
| 19. | compass | tool showing direction |
| 20. | compression | reducing data size for transmission |
| 21. | connector | fitting that joins cables |
| 22. | decryption | restoring scrambled data |
| 23. | demodulation | process of recovering information |
| 24. | demux | device separating combined signals |
| 25. | dish | parabolic antenna for signal reception |
| 26. | downlink | signal sent from a satellite |
| 27. | Eb/N0 | digital signal quality ratio |
| 28. | eccentricity | measure of orbit shape |
| 29. | eclipse | period without sunlight exposure |
| 30. | EIRP | effective radiated transmit power |
| 31. | elevation | vertical pointing angle |
| 32. | encryption | scrambling data for security |
| 33. | F-connector | common threaded coax connector |
| 34. | fade margin | extra signal strength reserve |
| 35. | fault | failure or abnormal condition |
| 36. | FEC | error correction coding method |
| 37. | feedhorn | waveguide that gathers dish signals |
| 38. | footprint | ground area covered by signal |
| 39. | frequency | number of cycles per second |
| 40. | G/T | receive sensitivity performance ratio |
| 41. | gain | increase in signal power |
| 42. | gateway | station linking networks together |
| 43. | GEO | geostationary Earth orbit region |
| 44. | geostationary | appearing fixed above one Earth point |
| 45. | grounding | electrical safety connection to earth |
| 46. | IF | intermediate frequency signal stage |
| 47. | impedance | total opposition in AC circuits |
| 48. | inclination | tilt of orbit to equator |
| 49. | inclinometer | tool measuring tilt angle |
| 50. | interference | unwanted signals affecting reception |
| 51. | jitter | variation in timing delay |
| 52. | Ka-band | satellite band around 26 to 40 GHz |
| 53. | Ku-band | satellite band around 12 to 18 GHz |
| 54. | latency | delay in signal transmission |
| 55. | LEO | low Earth orbit region |
| 56. | lightning | electrical discharge from atmosphere |
| 57. | line of sight | clear path between antennas |
| 58. | link budget | calculation of signal gains and losses |
| 59. | LNB | device that amplifies received signals |
| 60. | mast | vertical pole supporting antenna |
| 61. | MEO | medium Earth orbit region |
| 62. | microwave | high-frequency radio wave band |
| 63. | modem | device for signal modulation and data |
| 64. | modulation | process of encoding information |
| 65. | mount | support structure for equipment |
| 66. | multiswitch | switch distributing satellite signals |
| 67. | MUX | device combining multiple signals |
| 68. | noise | unwanted random signal disturbance |
| 69. | open circuit | broken electrical path |
| 70. | orbit | curved path around a body |
| 71. | payload | mission equipment carried onboard |
| 72. | perigee | nearest orbital point to Earth |
| 73. | polarization | orientation of an electromagnetic wave |
| 74. | power meter | instrument measuring signal power |
| 75. | propellant | fuel used for spacecraft thrust |
| 76. | QAM | amplitude and phase modulation |
| 77. | QPSK | four-state digital modulation method |
| 78. | rain fade | signal loss from heavy rain |
| 79. | receiver | equipment that accepts incoming signals |
| 80. | redundancy | backup components for reliability |
| 81. | RF | radio frequency signal range |
| 82. | satellite | object orbiting Earth or another body |
| 83. | signal | transmitted electrical or radio information |
| 84. | skew | rotation angle for polarization alignment |
| 85. | SNR | signal power compared with noise |
| 86. | solar panel | panel that generates electrical power |
| 87. | stabilization | keeping spacecraft orientation steady |
| 88. | stationkeeping | maintaining assigned orbital position |
| 89. | symbol rate | symbols transmitted each second |
| 90. | telecommand | remote control instruction signal |
| 91. | telemetry | remote measurement and status data |
| 92. | termination | proper end connection of cable |
| 93. | thruster | small engine for spacecraft control |
| 94. | transmitter | equipment that sends outgoing signals |
| 95. | transponder | unit that receives and retransmits signals |
| 96. | uplink | signal sent to a satellite |
| 97. | VSAT | small satellite earth station |
| 98. | waveguide | metal path guiding microwaves |
| 99. | weatherproofing | protecting equipment from weather |
| 100. | X-band | radio band around 8 to 12 GHz |