Did you ever wonder what those strange conglomerations of letters meant? Here's your chance to find out what those NASA acronyms stand for. About Space and Astronomy presents the Guide to NASA Acronyms. From Control and Display Unit to Communications Control and command interface control to Control Valve Module, you'll find them here.  This page lists acronyms starting with C. For others, click on the appropriate letter above or below. 

[C]

C of F: Cost of Facilities
C of F: Construction of Facilities
C&T: Communications and tracking
C/W: Caution and warning
CA: Carrier Aircraft
CA: Contingency Abort
CA: Cone Angle
CA: Contract Award
CA: Corrective Action
CA: Cost Account
CAB: Cabin
CAB: Cabinet
CAB: Civil Aeronautics Board
CAB: Cost Audit Board
CACB: Center Aisle Connector Bracket
CACC: Communications and Configuration Console
CACON: Cargo Container
CAD: Computer Aided Design
CADE: Controller/Attitude-Direct Electronics
CADS: Command and Data Simulator
CADSI: Communications and Data Systems Integration
CADU: Control and Display Unit
CAL: "Calibrate, Calibration"
CAL: Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory
CALC: Calculate
CAM: Computer Aided Manufacturing
CAM: Content Addressable Memory
CAM: Carrier Aircraft Modification
CAM: Computer Annunciation Matrix
CAM R: Camera
CAN: Certification Analysis Network
CAP: Contractor Acquired Property
CAP: Crew Activity Plan
CAP: CCMS Application Programs
CAP: "Capacitor, Capacity"
CAP: Cost Account Package
CAP: Computer Application Program
CAPCOM: Capsule Communicator
CAPRI: Captive Reset ignitor
CAPS: Common Attitude Pointing System
CAPS: Crew altitude protection system
CAPSIM: Captive Simulation
CAR: Certification Approval Request
CAR: Configuration and Acceptance Review
CAR: Corrective Action Request
CARID: Customer Acceptance Review Item Disposition
CARR: Customer Acceptance Readiness Review
CAS: Calibrated Airspeed
CAS: Command Augmentation System
CAS: Control Augmentation System
CASO: Cancellation Addendum Sales Order
CASP: CDS APPlication SL'pport Programs
CASS: CITE Augmentation Support System
CATEG: Category
CAU: Customer Acquisition Unit
CAU: Command Acquisition Unit
CAU: Command Activation Unit
CAUT: Caution
CB: Center of Buoyancy
CB: Circuit Breaker
CB: Constant Bandwidth
CB/ac: Circuit Breaker (ac only)
CB/dc: Circuit Breaker (dc only)
CBA: C-Band Transponder Antenna
CBC: Complete Blood Count
CBE: "Connector Bracket, Experiment"
CBIL: Common and Bulk Items List
CBP: Connector Bracket Power
CBS: Connector Bracket Signal
CBSA: Cargo Bay Stowage Assembly
CBV: Cabin Bleed Valve
CBW: Constant Bandwidth
CBX: C-Band Transponder
CBrF3: Bromotrifluoromethane (Fire-Extinguishing Material)
cal: Calories
cc: Channel Controller
cc: Crew(s) Certified
cc: Crew Compartment
cc: Chief Counsel (KSC Directorate)
cc: Cost Center
cc: Communications Control
cc: Carbon-Carbon
ccc: Complex Control Center
ccc: Central Computer Complex
ccc: Communication(s) Control Console
ccc: Controller Checkout Console
ccc: Contaminant Control Cartridge
CCA: Communications Carrier Assembly
CCA: Contract Change Authorization
CCA: Coolant Control Assembly
CCA: Contract Change Authorization
CCA: Communications carrier assembly
CCAFS: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
CCAFS: Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
CCATS: "Command, Communication, and Telemetry System"
CCB: Configuration Change Board
CCB: Change Control Board
CCB: Configuration Control Board
CCBD: Configuration Control Board Directive
CCD: Charge Coupled Device
CCD: Checkout Command Decoder
CCD: Constants Change Display
CCDR: Contractor Critical Design Review
CCE: Computer Command Engineer
CCF: Converter Compressor Facility
CCFF: Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility
CCIR: International Radio Consultative Committee
CCL: Closed Circuit Loop
CCL: Commonality Candidate List
CCL: Configuration Control Logic
ccm: Crew/Cargo Module
ccm: Controlled Carrier Modulation
ccms: Command Control and Monitor System
ccms: "Checkout, Control, and Monitor Subsystem (LPS)"
CCM E: Contract Change Mass Estimate
CCMS: "Checkout, control and monitor system"
CCN: Contract Change Notice
CCN: Contract Change Negotiation
CCOH: "Corrosive Contaminants, Oxygen, and Humidity"
CCP: Center Console Panel
CCP: Configuration Control Phase
CCP: Commercial Change Proposal
CCP: Cost Control Program
CCP: Charge Capacitance Probe
CCP: Contract Change Proposal
CCP: Configuration Control Panel
CCP: Configuration Change Point
CCP: ComPuter Control Panel
CCR: Contractor Change Request
CCR: Control Center Rack
CCRA: Cape Canaveral Reference Atmosphere
CCRF: Consolidated Communication Recording Facility
CCS: Command and Control Subsystem
CCS: Contamination Control System
CCS: Console Communication System
CCS: Computer Core Segment
CCS: Complex Control Set
CCS: Command and Communication System
CCS: Central Control Station
CCS: Central Control Section
CCT: Computer Compatible Tape
CCTV: Closed Circuit Television
CCTV: Closed-circuit television
CCU: Central Control Unit
CCU: Crewman Communications Umbilical
CCU: Camera Control Unit
CCU: Crew communications unit
CCU: Communications carrier umbilical
CCV: Chamber coolant valve
CCW: Counterclockwise
CCVA: Chamber Coolant Valve Actuator
CCiM: Command Computer Input Multiplexer
CD: Command Decoder MDM
CD: Coefficient of Drag
CD: Candella (Luminous Intensity)
CD: Center Director (KSC Directorate)
CDA: Critical Design Audit
CDA: Command and Data Acquisition
CDB: Command Data Base
CDB: Central Data Buffer
CDBFR: Common Data Buffer
CDC: Confined Detonating Cord
CDC: Countdown Clock
CDDT: Countdown Demonstration Test
CDF: Cable Distribution Frame
CDF: Central Data Facility
CDF: Circuit Design Fabrication
CDF: Confined Detonating Fuse
CDF: Cool-Down Facility
CDF: Confined detonating fuse
CDF&TDS: "Circuit Design, Fabrication, and Test Data Systems"
CDH: Constant Delta Height
CDI: Course Deviation Indicator
CDI: Course deviation indicator
CDM: Communications/Data Manager
CDMS: Command and Data Management Subsystem
CDMS: Command and data management system
CDN: CDR Discrepancy Notice
CDNR: CDR Discrepancy Notice Record
CDP: Command Data Processor
CDPIS: Command Data Processing and Instrumentation System
CDQR: Critical Design and Qualification Review
CDR: Commander
CDR: Critical Design Review
CDR: "Cleaning, Decontamination Request"
CDRL: Contract Data Requirements List
CDRR: Contract Documentation Requirements Records
CDS: Central Data Subsystems (LPS)
CDS: Central Data System
CDS: Closeout Door System
CDS: Collision Detector System
CDS: Control Data Corporation
CDS: Control Data System
CDS: Central data subsystem
CDSC: Communications Distribution and Switching Center
CDT: Configuration Data Table
CDT: Compressed Data Tape
CDT: Command Descriptor Table
CDT: Central Daylight Time
CDT: Countdown Time
CDU: CRT Display Unit
CDU: Coupling Data Unit
CDU: Coupling Display Unit
CDU: Computer Display Unit
CDU: Control and Display Unit
CDW: Command Data Word
CDW: Computer Data Word
CE: Cost Element
CE: Control Element
CE: Civil Engineering
CE: Change Evaluation
CE: Current Expendable
CEA: Control Electronics Assembly (for MMU)
CEC: Control Encoder Coupler
CECP: Compatibility Engineering Change Proposal
CEDC: Cyclic Error Detection Code
CEI: Contract End Item
CEI: Configuration End item
CEIAC: Coastal Engineering Information Analysis Center
CEIT: Crew Equipment Interface Test
CEIT: Crew Equipment Integration Test
CEIT: Crew equipment interface test
CEQ: Council on Environmental Quality
CER: Cost Estimating Relationship
CERT: Certification
CES: Crew Escape System
CES: Control Electronics System
CF: Centrifugal Force
CF: Center Forward
CF: Carrier Frequency
CFD: "Converter, Frequency to dc Voltage"
CFE: Contractor Furnished Equipment
CFES: Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System
CFI: Card Format Identifier
CFM: Customer Furnished Material
CFM: Cubic Feet per Minute
CFMF: Crip Flow Management Facility
CFP: Conceptual Flight Profile
CFR: Code Federal Regulation
CFRP: "Carbon Fiber Reinfr-,rced Plastics"
CFSTI: Clearinghouse for Scientific and Technical informatio
CFT: Common Facilities Test
CFY: Company Fiscal Year
CG: Center of Gravity
CGAU: Cabin Gas Analysis Unit
CGC: Command Guidance Computer
CGP: Central Grounding Point
CGSS: Cryogenic Gas Storage Subsystem
CH: Channel
CH 4: Methane
CHAN: Channel
CHAR: Character
CHCS: Cabin Humidity Control Subsystem
CHG: Change
CHG: Charge
CHGR: Charger
CHL: Certified Hardware List
CHL: Channel
CHMBR: Chamber
CHR: Cooper-Harper Rating
CHUTE: Parachute
CHX: Cabin Heat Exchanger
CI: Course (deviation display) invalid
CI: Color Interior Film
CI: Configuration inspection
CI: Configuration Item
CI: Certification Inspection
CI: Crew Interface
CI: Continuous Interlock
CIC: Command Interface Control
CIC: Control and Information Center
CICU: Computer Interface Control Unit
CICU: Computer Interface Conditioning Unit
CIA: Control Interface Assembly
CIA: Controller interface assembly
CIAP: Climatic Impact Assessment Program
CIB: Change Implementation Board
CIB: Change Impact Board
CiCC: Cargo Integration Control Center
CICU: Communication interface control unit
CiSS: Centaur integrated Support Structure
CID: Computer Interface Device
CIDL: Configuration Item Data List
CIDR: Critical Intermediate Design Review
CIE: Communications interface Equipment
CIF: Central Instrumentation Facility
CIG: Cable Integrity Group
CIG: Communications and Interface Group
CIL: Critical Items List
CIM: Computer Input Multiplexer
CIN: Change Identification Number
CIR: Circulate
CIR: Configuration inspection Report
CIR: Circle
CIR: Cargo Integration Review
CIRC: "Circularization Burn, OMS2"
CIRCUM: Circumference
CIRHS: Critical Items and Residual Hazards List
CIS: Contractor's Information Submittal
CIS: Central Integration Site
CIS: Component Identification Sheet
CIS: Communication Interface System
CIS: Change Impact Summary
CIS: Communications interface system
CIT: Critical Item Tag
CITE: Cargo Integration Test Equipment
CITE: Cargo integration test equipment
CIU: Communication interface unit
CIU: Computer Interface Unit
CIU: Controller Interface Unit
CIVT: Cargo Interface Verification Test
CK: Check
CKAFS: Cape Kennedy Air Force Station (Changed to CCAFS)
CKPT: Checkpoint
CKRA: Cape Kennedy Reference Atmosphere (Changed to CCR
CKS: Checks
CKT: Circuit
CL: Centerline
CL: Closed Loop
CL: Closed Loop Contro! Logic
CL: Close (Closed)
CL: Coefficient of Lift
CL: Cluster
Class: Classification
CLC: Change Letter Control
CLDST: Closed Loop Dynamic Stability Test
CLG: Ceiling
CLIP: Combined Laser Instrumentation Package
CLM: Care Logic Module
CLMC: Central Logistics Management Center
CLNR: Cleaner
CLR: Clear
CLRB: Cost Limit Review Board
CLS: Contingency Landing Site(s)
CLSO: Contingency Landing Support Officer
CLT: Closed Loop Test
cm: Centimeter
cm: Control Monitor
cm: Center of Mass
cm: Cargo Management
cm: Configuration Management
cm: Consumables Management
cm: Crew Module
CM&S: Communications Maintenance and Storage
CMA: Configuration Management Accounting
CMACS: Central Monitor and Control System
CMAO: Contract Management Assistance Officer
CMAT: Compatible Materials (List)
CMC: Command Module Computer
CMC: Crew Module Computer
CMD: Command
CMD DCDR: Command Decoder
CMG: Control Moment Gyro
CMM: Condition Monitored Maintenance
CMN: Crewman
CMO: Configuration Management Office
CMOS: Complementary Metal Oxide Silicon
CMP: Configuration Management Plan
CMPR: Compare
CMPRT: Compartment
CMPTD: Computed
CMPTR: Computer
CMPTR ACTY: Computer Activity
CMR: Center Materials Representative
CMRB: Contractor Material Review Board
CMRR: Common Mode Rejection Ratio
CMS-2: Cambridge Monitoring System (IBM Computer Program)
CMSi: Checkout/Control and Monitor Subsystem Interface
CMTS: Computerized Maintenance Test System
CMV: Common Mode Voltage
CN: Change Notice
CNDS: Condensate
CNRL: Communications and Navigation Research Laboratory
CNSL: Console
CNTL: Control
CNTR: Counter
CNTRL: Controller
CNTRL: Control
CNWDI: Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information
CO: Carbon monoxide
Co: Cargo Operations (KSC Directorate)
Co: Cutoff
Co: Contracting Officer
Co: Change Order
CO2: Carbon dioxide
COA: Center Operations Area
COAS: Course Optical Alignment Sight
COAS: Crew(man) Optical Alignment Sight
COAS: Crewman optical alignment sight
COAX: "Coaxial, Coaxial Cable"
COB: Communications Office Building
COBE: Cosmic Background Explorer
COBOL: Common Business Oriented Language
COC: Close-Open-Close
COD: Center Operations Directorate (JSC)
COE: Corps of Engineer
COFI: Checkout and Fault Isolation (on Board)
COFR: Certificate of Flight Readiness
COFW: Certificate of Flight Worthiness
COIM: Checkout Interpreter (Software) Module
COL: Checkout Language
COL: Coast Orbital Insertion
COLM: Column
com: Computer Output Microfiche
com: "Common, Commonality"
com-m: Common Mode
comm: Communications
COMAS: Combined Orbital Maneuvering and Abort System
COMAT: Compatibility of Materials
COMB: Combustion
COMEC: Communications Security
COMMAND: Computer Command Engineer
COMP: Computation of Rendezvous Targeting
COMP: Component
COMP: Compensate
COMP: Compass
COMP: Computer
COMPEN: Compensator
COMPL: Completed
COMPOOL: Common Data Pool
COMPR: "Compress, Compressor"
COMPT: COmPartment
COMR&DSAT: Communication Research and Development Satellite
COMSAT: Communications Satellite
COMSEC: Communications Security
CON: Contact
CONCN: Concentration
COND: "Condition, Conditioner"
COND: Condenser
CONDR: Conditioner
CONF: Conference
CONFIG: Configuration
CONN: "Connect, Connector"
CONS: Console
CONSTR: "Construct, Construction"
CONT: Container
CONT: Contingency
CONT: "Continue, Continued, Continuous"
CONTAM: Contaminate
CONTIG: Contiguous
CONTR: "Control, Controller"
CONUS: Continental United States
CONV: Converter
COOP: Cooperative
COORD: Coordinate
COP: Contingency Operations Plan
COQ: Certificate of Qualification
COR: Contracting Officer Representative
CORE: Common Operational Research Equipment
COS: Carry-on Oxygen System
COS: Console Operating System
COS: Cosine
COSATI: Committee on Scientific and Technical Information
COSI: Closeout System Installation
COSTA: Cost Accounting (Code)
COV: Cutoff Valve
CP: Cargo Projects Office (KSC)
CP: Cargo Program Office (KSC)
CP: Candle Power
CP: Center of Pressure
CP: Cold Plate
CP: Console Processor
CP: Chemically Pure
CP: Circular Pitch
CP: Control Panel
CP: Control Point
CP-DPO: Deployable Payloads Projects Office (KSC)
CP-FEO: Cargo Facilities and GSE Projects Office (KSC)
CP-PCO: Cargo Projects-Program Control Office
CP-SPO: Spacelab Projects Office (KSC)
CPA: Contingency Planning Aid
CPA: Critical Path Analysis
CPAF: Cost Plus Award Fee
CPC: Computer Program Component
CPC: Central Planning Center
CPC: Characteristics Properties Code
CPC I: Computer Program Change Instruction
CPCB: Crew Procedures Control Board
CPCEI: Computer Program Contract End Item
CPCI: Computer Prograni Configuration Item
CPCL: Computer Program Control Library
CPCL: Computer Program Change Library
CPCR: Computer Program Change Request
CPCR: Crew Procedures Change Request (Form 482)
CPD: "Converter, Pulse to dc Voltage"
CPD: Crew Passive Dosimeter
CPD: Crew Procedures Division
CPD R: Contractor's Preliminary Design Review
CPDDS: COmPuter Program Detail Design Specification
CPDS: Computer Program Design (or Development) Specificat
CPDS: Crew Procedures Documentation System
CPE: Chief Program Engineer
CPE I: Computer Program End Item
CPES: Crew Procedures Evaluation (Evaluator) Simulator
CPF: Cost per Flight
CPF: Cargo Processing Facility
CPF: Central Processing Facility
CPFF: COst Plus Fixed Fee
CPG: Change Planning Group
CPI: Cross Pointer Indicator
CPI: Crosspointer indicator
CPIF: COst Plus Incentive Fee
CPL: Couple
CPLT: Complete
CPM: Computer Program Module
CPM: Critical Path Method
CPM: Cycles per Minute
CPMP: Crew Procedures Management Plan
CPR: Critical Problem Report
CPS: Cycles Per Second
CPSE: Common Payload SuPport EquiPment
CPSS: Cold Plate Support Structure
CPSS: Critical Phase System Software
CPT: Computer Program Tapes
CPT: Cargo Processing Technician
CPU: Central Processing Unit
CPU: Computer Printer Unit
CPU: Central processor unit
CQD R: Critical Qualification Design Review
CR: Card Reader
CR: Certification Requirement
CR: Crew
CR: Control Room
CR: Change Request
CR: Configuration Review
CR/DIR: Change Request Directive
CRAS: Cost Reduction Alternative Study
CRB: Change Review Board
CRC: Contractor Recommended Code
CRC: Cost Reduction Curve
CRD: Change Request Disposition
CRDP: Computer Resources Development Plan
CRES: Corrosion Resistant Steel
CRG: Change Review Group
CRG: Correspondence Review Group
CRIS: Calibration Recall and Information System
CRISP: Computer Resources Integrated Support Plan
CRIT: Critical
CRM: Chemical Release Module
CRMD: Computer Resources Management Data
CRN: Contract Revision Number
CRN: Cable Routing Rotation
CRO: Cathode Ray Oscillograph(s) or Oscilloscopes
CRP: Configuration Requirements Processing
CRPL: Cosmic Ray Physics Laboratory
CRR: Critical Requirements Review
CRR: Computer Run Report
CRS: Cross
CRS: Course
CRS: C02 Reduction Subsystem
CRSFD: Crossfeed
CRSI: Ceramic Reusable Surface Insulation
CRSVR: Crossover
CRT: Cathode-Ray Tube
CRT: Cathode ray tube
CRTG: Cartridge
CRW: Control Read/Write
CRYO: Cryogenic
cs: STS Cargo operations (KSC Directorate)
cs: Common Set
cs: Consumables Status
cs: Change Status
cs: Checkout Station
cs: Control Segment
cs: Core Segment
cs: Crew Station
cs: Spacelab Operations Directorate
CSA: CYclic Strain Attenuator
CSAM: Crinkled Single Aluminized Mylar
CSAS: ComPuterized Status Accounting System
CSAT: Combined Systems Acceptance Test
csc: Computer Sciences Corporation
csc: Cosecant COMPuting Amplifier
csc: Conical Shaped Charge
csc: Contingency SuPport Center (CCAFS)
CSCB: Contractor's Summary Cost Breakdown
CSCSAT: Commercial Synchronous Communication Satellite
CSD: Crew Systems Division
CSD: Control System DeveloPment
CSD: Chemical Systems Division
CSD L: Charles Stark Draper Laboratory (MIT)
CSDD: Control Systems DeveloPment Division (JSC)
CSDF: Central Source Data File
CSDT: COMPuter Software Data Tapes
CSE: Communications Systems Engineer
CSE: Computer Support Equipment
CSE: Configuration Switching EquiPment
CSE: Common Support EquiPment
CSF: Cost Sensitivity Factor
CSF: Central Supply Facility
csi: Coelliptic Sequence Initiation
csi: Control Servo Input
csi: Crew Software Interface
CSIR: Review
CSIR: Computer Systems (Hardware/Software) Integration
CSL: Crew Systems Laboratory
CSL: Computer Status Lights
CSL: Command Signal Limiter
CSOP: Crew Systems Operating Procedures
CSP: Computer Support Program
CSPU: Coi-e Segment Processing Unit
CSR: Crew Station Review
CSR: Check Signal Return
CSR: Crew Station Review
CSR: Certification Status Report
CSRP: Computers and Software Review Panel
CSS: Control stick steering
CSSE: Control System Simulation Equipment
CST: Crew Station Trainer
CST: Contract Supplemental Tooling
CST: Crew Systems Trainer (One-G Trainer)
CST: Combined Systems Test
CST: Central Standard Time
CSTA: Crew Software Training Aid
CSTR: Canister
CSTS: Cryogenic Storage and Transfer System
CSiU: Core Segment Interface Unit
csm: Computer Status Matrix
csm: Command Service Module
csm: Common Support Module
csoc: Consolidated Space Operations Center
css: Control Stick Steering
css: Computer Subsystem
css: Core Segment Simulator
CT: Crawler Transporter
CT: Current Transformer
CTA: Computer Technology Associates (GSFC)
CTA: Controlled Thrust Assembly
CTC: "Camera, Timing, and Control"
CTC: Chief Test Conductor
CTE: Central Timing Equipment
CTI: Critical Transportation Item
CTIS: Crawler Transporter Intercom System
CTL: Central or Control
CTL: Canoga Test Laboratory
CTM: Crystalline Transitional Material
CTM: Contract Technical Manager
CTN: Certification Test Network
CTP: CYclic Time Processor
CTP: Communications Timing Procedure
CTPD: Crew Training and Procedures Division (JSC)
CTR: Contract Technical Representative
CTRS: Component Test Requirements Specifications
CTS: Ci'mPuter Test Set
CTS: COMPuterized Training System
CTS: Communications and Tracking System
CTS: Canadian Technology Satellite
CTSD: ComPuter Test Sequences Document
CTSD: Coordinate Transformation SYstem
CTTB: Checkout Techniques Test Bed
CTU: Central Timing Unit
CTWT: Counterweight
CUB: Commonality Usage Board
CUDS: Cumulative Data Statistics
CUE: Common Usage Equipment
CUF: Cross Utilization File
CUIL: COmmon Usage Item List
CUP: Commonality Usage ProPosal
CVAD: "Converter, Voltage, ac to dc"
CVAS: Configuration Verification Accounting System
CVDA: "Converter, Voltage Discrete, ac"
CVE: Complete Vehicle Erector
CVR: Change Verification Record
CVR: Configuration Verification Review
CVRD: "Converter, Variable Resistance, to dc Voltage"
CVT: Communications Vector Table
CVT: Concept Verification Testing
CWA: Clean Work Area
CWA: Caution and Warning Annunciator
CWA: Controlled Work Area
CWE: Caution and Warning Electronics
CWEA: Caution and Warning Electronic Assembly
CWEU: Caution and Warning Electronics Unit
CWFSP: Caution and Warning/Fire Suppression Panel
CWG: Constant Wear Garment
CWLM: Caution and Warning Limit Module
CY: Calendar Year
CY: Cycle
CYL: Cylinder
cu: Control Unit
cu: Cubic
cuc: ComPuter Usage Control
cum: Cumulative
cv: Check Valve
cv: Coefficient of Variation
cv: Deployable Payloads Operation (KSC Co Dir.)
cv: Expendable Vehicles Operations (KSC Directorate)
cvm: Control Valve Module
cw: Continuous Wave
cw: Command Word
cw: Clockwise
cws: Caution and Warning System
cws: Caution and Warning Status
cwsu: Caution and Warning Status Unit
cwsu: Condensate Water Servicing Unit
cx: Color Exterior Film

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