Glossary M

Deutsch: Mikrovibration / Español: Microvibración / Português: Microvibração / Français: Microvibration / Italian: Microvibrazione

Microvibration refers to very small, often imperceptible vibrations that occur within spacecraft and space systems. These vibrations can originate from various sources and can affect the performance of sensitive instruments and components.

Deutsch: Mittleres Infrarot / Español: Infrarrojo medio / Português: Infravermelho médio / Français: Infrarouge moyen / Italiano: Infrarosso medio

Mid-infrared in the space industry context refers to a range of the electromagnetic spectrum typically defined between wavelengths of approximately 3 to 8 micrometers (µm), though some definitions extend this range to about 3 µm to 25 µm. This portion of the infrared spectrum is particularly useful for a variety of observational and sensing applications in space exploration and Earth observation. Instruments that detect mid-infrared radiation can be used to study thermal properties of celestial bodies, chemical compositions of interstellar objects, and various phenomena related to Earth's atmosphere and surface.

MIL stands for Military Standard, which is a series of technical standards and guidelines that are used in the design, testing, and production of military equipment. MIL standards were originally developed by the United States Department of Defense to ensure that military equipment met certain performance and quality requirements.

Deutsch: Militärflugzeuge / Español: Aeronaves Militares / Português: Aeronaves Militares / Français: Aéronefs Militaires / Italiano: Aerei Militari

Military aircraft in the space industry context refers to aircraft that are specifically designed, developed, or adapted for military purposes and operations that extend beyond the atmosphere or involve activities related to space. While traditionally military aircraft operate within Earth's atmosphere, the evolving domain of space warfare and military strategy has led to the development of vehicles that can operate in near-space environments, support space missions, or have capabilities relevant to space operations, such as anti-satellite systems, space surveillance, and rapid global strike capabilities.

Deutsch: Militärische Operation / Español: Operación Militar / Português: Operação Militar / Français: Opération Militaire / Italiano: Operazione Militare

Military Operation in the space industry context refers to activities conducted by armed forces that involve the use of space-based assets and capabilities. These operations can include the deployment and use of satellites, space surveillance, and defense mechanisms to support national security and defense objectives.

Deutsch: Millimeterwelle / Español: Onda milimétrica / Português: Onda milimétrica / Français: Onde millimétrique / Italiano: Onda millimetrica

Millimeter-wave in the space industry context refers to the band of radio frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum ranging approximately from 30 to 300 gigahertz (GHz). This corresponds to wavelengths from 10 millimeters down to 1 millimeter. Millimeter-wave technology is significant in space communications, Earth observation, and remote sensing, offering advantages such as high data rate transmission capabilities and the ability to produce high-resolution images of the Earth and other celestial bodies.

Deutsch: Miniaturisierung / Español: Miniaturización / Português: Miniaturização / Français: Miniaturisation / Italiano: Miniaturizzazione

Miniaturization in the space industry refers to the process of designing and developing smaller, lighter, and more compact spacecraft components, systems, and instruments while maintaining or improving their functionality and performance. This concept is crucial in reducing launch costs, increasing payload capacity, and enabling innovative mission designs such as small satellite constellations and deep space exploration using smaller spacecraft.

Deutsch: Kleinplanet / Español: Planeta menor / Português: Planeta menor / Français: Planète mineure / Italiano: Pianeta minore

Minor planet in the space industry context refers to a celestial body that orbits the Sun but is neither a dominant planet nor a comet. Minor planets include asteroids, trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), and dwarf planets, such as Ceres, Pluto, and Eris. They play an important role in space exploration, scientific research, and industrial applications, including mining and planetary defence.

Deutsch: Minderheit / Español: Minoría / Português: Minoria / Français: Minorité / Italian: Minoranza

Minority refers to individuals or groups within the space industry who are underrepresented or marginalized based on characteristics such as race, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. Efforts to promote diversity and inclusion aim to address these disparities and create a more equitable environment.

Deutsch: Minuteman / Español: Minuteman / Português: Minuteman / Français: Minuteman / Italiano: Minuteman

Minuteman refers to a series of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) developed by the United States during the Cold War. Although primarily a military term, the technology and developments from the Minuteman missile program have had significant implications for the space industry, particularly in rocketry and missile technology.

Deutsch: Spiegel / Español: Espejo / Português: Espelho / Français: Miroir / Italiano: Specchio

Mirror in the space industry context refers to a highly engineered reflective surface or assembly used in telescopes and other optical instruments to collect, focus, and direct light or other forms of electromagnetic radiation. Mirrors are essential for astronomical observations and are typically found in space telescopes, where they enable detailed study of distant celestial objects by gathering and focusing light more effectively than lenses.

Deutsch: Fehlklassifizierung / Español: Clasificación errónea / Português: Classificação incorreta / Français: Mauvaise classification / Italiano: Errata classificazione

Misclassification in the space industry refers to the incorrect categorization or identification of objects, data, or signals related to space missions, satellite operations, or space debris. This can occur in various contexts, such as the wrong identification of satellites, the erroneous classification of space debris, or misinterpreting signals from space exploration instruments. Misclassification can lead to operational inefficiencies, mission risks, and even potential collisions in space due to the incorrect handling of objects or data.

Deutsch: Missionskomplexität / Español: Complejidad de la Misión / Português: Complexidade da Missão / Français: Complexité de la Mission / Italiano: Complessità della Missione

Mission Complexity in the space industry refers to the level of difficulty and intricacy involved in planning, designing, executing, and managing a space mission. This encompasses various factors such as the technical challenges, operational requirements, mission objectives, and the coordination of different components and teams. Mission complexity increases with the ambition and scope of the mission, involving multiple stages, sophisticated technologies, and extensive collaboration among international partners.

Deutsch: Missionsplanung / Español: Planificación de Misión / Português: Planejamento de Missão / Français: Planification de Mission / Italiano: Pianificazione della Missione

Mission Planning is a crucial process in the space industry that involves the detailed preparation and coordination of all aspects necessary to conduct a space mission. It encompasses defining mission objectives, selecting appropriate spacecraft, planning flight trajectories, scheduling operations, and ensuring the mission meets scientific, technical, and safety requirements. Mission planning is fundamental to the success of space missions, whether they involve satellite deployment, planetary exploration, or manned spaceflights.

Deutsch: Missionserfolg / Español: Éxito de la Misión / Português: Sucesso da Missão / Français: Succès de la Mission / Italiano: Successo della Missione

Mission Success in the space industry is the achievement of the defined objectives and goals of a space mission. This encompasses all aspects of planning, execution, and post-mission analysis, ensuring that the mission's intended outcomes are met without significant failures or unexpected issues. Mission success is a critical measure of the effectiveness and reliability of space missions, reflecting both technical accomplishments and the fulfillment of scientific, exploratory, or commercial goals.

Deutsch: Nebel / Español: Niebla / Português: Névoa / Français: Brouillard / Italiano: Nebbia

In the space industry context, mist often refers to small particles or droplets in a cloud-like formation within a specific environment, such as a spacecraft or space station. This can include naturally occurring phenomena as well as those related to human activities in space.

Mitigation in the space industry context refers to the strategies, measures, and actions taken to prevent, reduce, or manage potential risks and negative impacts associated with space activities. These activities can include satellite launches, space debris management, planetary protection, and safety protocols for crewed missions. Mitigation efforts aim to ensure the safety of space missions, protect the space environment, and minimize the potential harm to both space assets and Earth. In this article, we will explore the significance of mitigation in the space industry, provide examples of its application, and discuss similar concepts related to risk management in space exploration.

"Multi-layer insulation" (MLI) is a type of thermal insulation that is used to protect spacecraft and other aerospace vehicles from extreme temperatures. It consists of multiple layers of thin, reflective material, such as aluminum or other reflective materials, separated by thin layers of insulating material. The multiple layers of MLI are designed to reflect and absorb radiant heat, helping to keep the temperature inside the spacecraft or vehicle within a comfortable range for the occupants and equipment.

MMS stands for Magnetospheric Multiscale, a NASA mission that aims to study the Earth's magnetosphere, which is the region of space surrounding the Earth that is affected by the Earth's magnetic field.

Deutsch: Mobile / Español: Móvil / Português: Móvel / Français: Mobile / Italiano: Mobile /

In the aerospace context, mobile generally refers to something that is able to move or be moved.