Large deployable reflector: An infrared and submillimeter orbiting observatory

The Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) is to be a dedicated astronomical observatory in space. It will operate in the 1 mm to 30 micron wavelength region where the Earth's atmospheric opacity makes ground-based observations nearly impossible. The primary mirror will be 20 m in diameter, made up of 37 individual segments. The reflector will be actively controlled to provide an overall surface accuracy of less than or approximately 2 microns. The LDR will be placed in orbit by the Space Shuttle and revisited at approximately 2 year intervals during its 10 year lifetime.