NASA loves acronyms. Loves them.
Can’t get enough of them.
Which makes a lot of sense: would you rather say Baseline Accounting and Reporting System or BARS? Johnson Space Center truncates to JSC, Capsule Commander (the earth-based link between astronauts and the rest of NASA) truncates to CAPCOM, and so on.
Wherever possible, these acronyms generally sound catchy. Case in point: the Shuttle’s Orbital Maneuvering System is shortened to OMS, but is pronounced OHMS (like how much resistance you might have in a circuit). Sometimes the acronyms can be said different ways: the Canadian-built Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator is truncated to SPDM but pronounced, much to the chagrin of the Canadians, as Spudim.
But curiously enough, some parts and equipment become proper nouns. This happens most often on human rated equipment, such as the newly installed Cupola on the International Space Station (ISS). Usually NASA professionals refer to it as Cupola, but rarely the cupola. Additionally, the International Space Station is not usually referred to as ISS or the space station, but rather Space Station or Station.
This reminds me of Apple’s instance one making iPhone a proper noun.
I brought this up to a few NASA professionals, and their response was that there is rarely a single word for an object or piece of equipment. Over time the official name is truncated to an informal working name, which is whittled down to be as succinct and clear as possible to facilitate quick understanding and conversation. A must when broadcasting between space and earth. Nobody discusses Harmony: that would be Node 2; no one talks about PMA-2 (that would be Pressurized Mating Adapter): that would be Adapter; no one asks permission to enter Quest Joint Airlock: it is merely Airlock.

This article continues my reporting of my junket NASAtweetup at the Johnson Space Center on 17 FEB 2010. For all articles, check out the NASA tweetup page and photos.