New technologies are arriving on the scene that promise enhancement or new capabilities. Some of these technologies have potential for NASA and DOD space-based applications. In these cases, the technology must be demonstrated and validated to a degree that risk may be balanced for the space mission roles. Quantum well infrared photo-detector (QWIP) is one of these technologies. QWIP has a variety of space-based applications in the 8 to 16 μm wavelength range. Radiation tolerance and higher operating temperature are potentially significant benefits for long duration missions. In this paper, we describe the selection of and preparation for a mission that provides the opportunity to demonstrate and validate QWIP focal plane arrays in the natural, space radiation environment. We discuss the objectives of this demonstration opportunity, and the development and test steps required to deliver the QWIP experiment to space.