LDEF (14898)

COSPAR: 1984-034B | Alt Name: LDEF

DECAYED

Image

Additional Sources

Launch Details

Launch Date

April 6, 1984

Launch Site

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Launch Pad

LC39A

Launch Vehicle

Space Shuttle

Orbital Elements

NORAD ID

14898

International Designator

1984-034B

Decay Date

1/20/1990

Basic Satellite Info

Name

LDEF

Alternative Name

LDEF

Type

Payload

Status

Decayed

Owner

LARCN

Country

United States

Constellation

N/A

Related Satellites

Major Events

N/A

Summary

LDEF (Long Duration Exposure Facility) is an experimental satellite with NORAD ID 14898 and OBJECT_ID 1984-034B, launched on April 6, 1984 from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center using a Space Shuttle as the launch vehicle. The LDEF measures 9.1 meters in length and 4.3 meters in diameter, configured as a 12-sided prism with a span of 9.1 meters, and has a dry mass of 9705 kg. It is owned by LARCN (Langley Research Center) and was manufactured by the same entity for microgravity experiments. The satellite carries 86 experiment trays but lacks its own propulsion or power systems. Launched to study various materials in space over an extended period, it was placed into orbit on April 7, 1984, intended for retrieval by another Space Shuttle mission at a later date.

Physical Characteristics

Length

9.1

Diameter

4.3

Span

9.1

Dry Mass

9705

Launch Mass

9705

Shape

Cyl

Radar Cross Section

45.1865

Visual Magnitude

Unknown

Color

Unknown

Material Composition

Unknown

Technical Details

Payload

LDEF

Purpose

Micro gravity (Shuttle retrievable)

Mission

Micro gravity (Shuttle retrievable)

Manufacturer

LARCN

Life Expectancy

Unknown

Bus

LDEF

Configuration

12 sided prism

Motor

None

Equipment

86 Experiment trays

Power System

None

ADCS

Unknown

Transmitter Frequency

Unknown

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