Status
Success
Explorer 46 (MTS)
Launch Time
Sun Aug 13, 1972 15:10 UTC
Sun Aug 13, 1972 15:10 UTC
First flight of Scout D1.
Rocket
Mission Details
Explorer 46
The objectives of the MTS (Meteoroid Technology Satellite) were to measure the meteoroid penetration rates in the bumper-protected target, and to obtain data on meteoroid velocity and flux distribution. The central hub of the satellite was 3.20 m long and carried the velocity and impact experiments. Bumper targets extended from the satellite, giving it an overall width of 7.015 m.
A back-up had been built, but was not launched and is now in the collection of the Smithsonian.
Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 90.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit
Location
LA-3, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Stats
1972
65th orbital launch attempt
Scout
61st mission
1st mission of 1972
48th successful mission
10th consecutive successful mission