The long duration exposure facility - A test bed for space technology development

The long duration exposure facility (LDEF) is being developed by NASA to accommodate, using the Shuttle, a class of technology, science, and applications experiments which require a free-flying exposure in space. The LDEF offers an attractive approach to experiments which require long-term exposure in space. LDEF missions up to 10 years duration are possible and requested by researchers. Attention is given to the LDEF concept and the operations, plans for technology testing in space, and aspects of investigator participation.