Some difficulties with the standardization of definitions

The planned addition of a definition to each of the terms of the IAA Multilingual Space Dictionary is technically feasible, but new problems will arise, if only because some simple conditions have not been previously fixed. The ambiguity of some definitions as well as their hierarchy within the given dictionary are such important conditions. In the paper the contradiction between some definitions (taken from different sources) is presented, taking into account the sometimes different meanings of a term used in more than one section of astronautics (like space sciences versus technology, or even within different branches of space research). The problem connected with the general character of some definitions will also be discussed. (C) 2002 International Astronautical Federation. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.