Spacecraft/Flight: LDEF

JSC #: None LaRC #: L84-07068 KSC #: KSC-384C-193.10

PI#: No value in DB Date: 01/12/1984

Description:

The prelaunch photograph was taken in SAEF II at KSC and shows the positions of four (4) LDEF experiments in a three (3) inch deep LDEF peripheral tray. The Ion Beam Textured and Coated Surfaces (IBEX) Experiment (S1003) is shown in the top one half (1/2) of the right section, the Balloon Materials Degradation Experiment (S1006) experiment is located in the center one third (1/3rd) section, the Multiple Foil Microabrasion Package (MAP) Experiment (AO023) occupies the left one third (1/3rd) section, and the Measurement of Heavy Cosmic-Ray Nuclei on LDEF Experiment (M0002-02) is located in the lower one half (1/2) of the right section of the tray.

The Ion Beam Textured and Coated Surfaces (IBEX) experiment, located in the top one half (1/2) of the right tray section, consist of a thin aluminum thermal isolation plate. an adapter to raise the samples to the top of the experiment tray, an aluminum mounting plate, an aluminum retainer plate and 36 sample materials on one inch diameter disc. Six openings in the mounting plate, cov- ered with a stainless steel mesh, are used to vent the experiment interior. Twenty-seven of the sample materials used an ion source to etch, sputter deposit or texture a surface to obtain the desired optical property or surface conductivity and seven samples are commercial paints or commercially available metallized thin films used for thermal control. Non-magnetic stainless steel fasteners are used for the experiment assembly and for attaching the experiment adapter plate to the tray structure.

Dimensions: 18.75 in. W x 16.50 in. L

Photo Collection: Prelaunch Survey

Photo Credit: NASA-KSC