The Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) experiments measure the effects of long duration exposure to the space environment on spacecraft systems, materials and structures, power and propulsion, electronics, and optics. These experiments cover a broad spectrum of science and technology investigations, ranging from the evolution of galaxies to the effects of radiation on the ability to live and work in space. LDEF carries 57 science and technology experiments; these experiments represent more than 200 investigators, 33 private companies, 21 universities, 7 NASA centers, 9 Department of Defense laboratories, and 8 foreign countries. LDEF is a 12-sided cylindrical structure that is 30 feet long, 14 feet in diameter, and weighs approximately 21,400 pounds. The spacecraft carries 86 trays, (3 x 4 x 1 depth) mounted around the periphery and on each end of the structure, in which 57 self-contained experiments are housed. Approximately one-half of the LDEF experiments used power either to record data or to provide experiment control functions. The remaining experiments are passive and required only exposure to space. Several systems which support experiment operations were provided by NASA for investigator use. Lithium-sulphur dioxide batteries were provided for experiments requiring power. The Experiment Power and Data System (EPDS) was provided to record experiment data measurements. Since no data were telemetered to Earth, no experiment data will be available until LDEF is retrieved. An Experiment Exposure Control Canister (EECC) was provided for experiments requiring controlled exposure. The EECC has a sealable drawer that was opened and closed at programmed times. After retrieval of LDEF, the experiment trays will be removed from the spacecraft, and the experiments will be removed from the trays and given to the investigators for analysis.


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    Title :

    Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) Prelaunch Mission Operation Report


    Publication date :

    1990


    Size :

    9 pages


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    No indication


    Language :

    English




    Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). Mission 1 Experiments

    Lenwood G. Clark / William H. Kinard / David J. Carter, Jr. et al. | NTRS | 1984



    Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) results

    KINARD, WILLIAM / O'NEAL, ROBERT | AIAA | 1991