Aero-Terms!

Aero-Terms are designed to be a daily reminder of the terms, names, acronyms and explanations of the unique language that populates the aviation world. Aerospace, sport aviation, fixed wing, helo, you name it... it's all fair game.

Aero-Terms should serve as a quick but intriguing reminder of the terms you may use every day, or an introduction to an aspects of the Aero-World you may not yet be familiar with. ANN also encourages readers to go beyond the FMI link, and further research any intriguing terms.

Suggestions for future Aero-Terms are ALWAYS welcome, as are additions or discussion of the explanations given for each Aero-Term.

Near Space

The region of Earth's atmosphere that lies between 65,000 and 325,000-350,000 feet (20 to 100km) above sea level, above where a commercial airliner flies but below the realm of an orbiting satellite. The area is of interest for military surveillance purposes, as well as to commercial interests for communications. Currently, craft that fly in near space are generally high altitude balloons, blimps (non-rigid airships) and sounding rockets. It is also the realm of an activity known as Amateur Radio High Altitude (ARHAB) Ballooning. JP Aerospace are interested in this region for their Airship to Orbit program.

FMI: www.hobbyspace.com/NearSpace/index.html