Status
Success
Explorer 16 (S-55B)
Launch Time
Sun Dec 16, 1962 14:33 UTC
Sun Dec 16, 1962 14:33 UTC
Rocket
Mission Details
Explorer 16 (S-55B)
This spacecraft was the second in the series of micrometeoroid satellites orbited by NASA. Its purpose was to obtain data on the near-earth meteoroid environment, thus providing an accurate estimate of the probability of penetration in spacecraft structures by meteoroids and allowing a more confident definition of the relationship between penetration flux and material thickness to be derived.
The spacecraft operated satisfactorily during its 7-month life (December 16, 1962, to July 1963), and all mission objectives were accomplished.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 101.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit
Location
LA-3, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Stats
1962
78th orbital launch attempt
Scout
8th mission
4th mission of 1962
3rd successful mission
2nd consecutive successful mission