An overall view of the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) from the space shuttle Endeavor prior to capturing LDEF with the Orbiter's Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm. Note the extensive damage to the Heavy Ions In Space Experiment thermal covers and the RMS arm poised to grapple the LDEF. The aft flight deck window frame blanks out an area along the left side of the photograph and the background is provided by the Earth and clouds.