GLOSSARY

glider (GLYE-dur)—

a lightweight aircraft that flies by floating and rising on air currents instead of by engine power

Global Positioning System (GLOH-buhl puh-ZI-shuhn-ing SISS-tuhm)—

an electronic tool used to find the location of an object; this system uses signals from satellites

high-definition (HI-de-fuh-NI-shuhn)—

having a high clarity of visual presentation

HIV—

a virus that causes an immune system disease called AIDS; HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus

hybrid (HYE-brid)—

a mix of two different types

hypersonic (hy-pur-SON-ik)—

relating to a speed five or more times that of sound in air

lidar (LY-dar)—

a device that measures the distance to an object by bouncing laser light off the object and timing how long it takes the light to return; lidar stands for light detection and ranging

meteorologist (mee-tee-ur-AWL-uh-jist)—

a person who studies and predicts the weather

orbit (OR-bit)—

the path an object follows while circling another object in space

patent (PAT-uhnt)—

a legal document giving someone sole rights to make or sell a product

prototype (PROH-tuh-tipe)—

the first version of an invention that tests an idea to see if it will work

radar (RAY-dar)—

a device that uses radio waves to track the location of objects

refugee (ref-yuh-JEE)—

a person who has to leave a place to escape war or other disasters

rotor (ROH-tur)—

a set of rotating blades that lifts an aircraft off the ground

sonar (SOH-nar)—

a device that uses sound waves to find objects; sonar stands for sound navigation and ranging

stealth (STELTH)—

having the ability to move without being seen by radar