Space-Exposed Hardware
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Guidelines for Preparing a Request for Returned Spacecraft Hardware Samples

All of the space hardware surfaces obtained by NASA for curation described below are available for allocation to qualified investigators. Each of these samples remains the property of NASA and/or the original satellite "owners", and its study is conditional upon regulations embodied in various memoranda between the original owners and NASA. Scientists desiring to perform detailed research on LDEF samples curated by the M&D SIG should apply in writing to:


Curator of Returned Space Hardware
Mail Code KT
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, Texas 77058-3696
U.S.A.
(281) 483-5128
E-mail: michael.e.zolensky@nasa.gov

Sample requests should refer to specific sample-identification numbers and should describe the research being proposed as well as the qualifications and facilities of the investigator making the request. Approval of a sample request does not imply or include funding for the proposed research. Foreign scientists are welcome to request samples.


For information on requesting Genesis and Stardust Hardware, please refer to the Genesis / Stardust Hardware Investigator's Guidebook. The Genesis hardware was returned in 2004 to Johnson Space Center. Stardust hardware just recently arrived at Johnson Space Center in January, 2006.



Tabulation Of LDEF Surfaces Curated By The
M&D SIG

The Surface Name, "Primary Surface Name", or Surface is a six-character designation for each LDEF experiment surface. The first three characters give the tray location (e.g., A01 would be Bay A on Row 01). The fourth character is always a letter designation for the type of surface, called a "Component". The final two numbers in each Surface Name give the number of the specific surface. All of the experiment trays were composed of several to many separate surfaces, all of which were named separately. Thus, the Surface Name C01E01 would indicate experiment (E) surface number 01 from experiment Bay C on Row 01.


Additional Teflon Thermal Blanket Samples

In addition to the one-third sections of each A0178 Teflon blanket curated by NASA, the remaining two thirds of each of these blankets is being maintained in Europe by ESTEC. Individuals wishing information concerning the possible analysis of portions of these blankets should contact Prof. J.A.M. McDonnell, and send a copy of all communications to Dr. K.-P. Wenzel (see addresses below).


Prof. J.A.M. McDonnell
Unit for Space Sciences
Physics Labs
University of Kent
CT2 7NR
United Kingdom

Dr. K.-P. Wenzel
Space Science Dep.
ESTEC
Noordwijk
The Netherlands 2200AG