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.

Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS)

The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) is a general-purpose spectrograph that spans ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths. It was installed in February 1997 during the Second Servicing Mission. A spectrograph works by breaking up light from an object into its individual wavelengths so that its composition, temperature, motion, and other chemical and physical properties can be analyzed. STIS stopped functioning in 2004 due to a power supply failure, but astronauts replaced a low-voltage power supply board during Servicing Mission 4.

FMI: www.nasa.gov