ABM
Anti-Ballistic Missile
ASAT
Anti-Satellite
CALT
China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, a.k.a. the First Space Academy
CASC
China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
CASIC
China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
CAST
China Academy of Space Technology, a.k.a. the Fifth Space Academy
COSTIND
Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence
EVA
Extra-Vehicular Activity
GAD
General Armaments Department
GEO
Geostationary Earth Orbit
GLD
General Logistics Department
GPD
General Political Department
GSD
General Staff Department
GSO
Geosynchronous Orbit
GTO
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
HTPB
Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene
ICBM
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
IRBM
Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile
JSLC
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre
KKV
Kinetic Kill Vehicle
LEO
Low-Earth Orbit
LH2
Liquid Hydrogen
LOX
Liquid Oxygen
MEO
Medium Earth Orbit
MRBM
Medium-Range Ballistic Missile
PLA
People’s Liberation Army
PLAAF
People’s Liberation Army Air Force
PLAN
People’s Liberation Army Navy
R&D
Research and Development
SAST
Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, a.k.a. the Eighth Space Academy
SLBM
Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile
SRBM
Short-Range Ballistic Missile
SRM
Solid Rocket Motor
SSO
Sun-Synchronous Orbit
TDRS
Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
TSLC
Taiyuan Satellite Launch Centre
UDMH
Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine
XSLC
Xichang Satellite Launch Centre
Photo: Vance.