Deploiement du satellite LDEF - Deployment of the LDEF satellite - Deployment of the Long...

Deploiement du satellite LDEF - Deployment of the LDEF satellite - Deployment of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite seen from the Challenger Shuttle over Florida on 7 April 1984. This satellite remained in space for more than five years and was brought back to Earth to analyse the 57 experiments on board, intended to better understand the consequences of a long stay in space. This single scene, taken during the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite deploy, captures the entire Florida Peninsula (27.0N, 85.0W) in a single view. The multi - paneled LDEF satellite, suspended by the RMS, is undergoing final checkout procedures immediately prior to release. As a long term materials testing facility, the LDEF contained material samples in the many surface panels to determine the effects of long term exposure to space. multi - paneled LDEF satellite was deployed 27.0N, 85.0W)