X-ray astronomy from the Space Shuttle

It is noted that the Space Shuttle will permit the X-ray astronomy community to fly experiments of substantial collecting area and sensitivity during the early 1980's. It is shown that the limited duration missions are well suited to special purpose measurements designed to explore a particular parameter or for the testing and evaluation of new instruments planned for use on future observatories, explorers, and the space platform. Several instruments are discussed in these contexts, as well as their capabilities and expected results.