NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Explorer 46 (MTS)

Launch Time
Sun Aug 13, 1972 15:10 UTC

First flight of Scout D1.

Rocket

Scout D1
NASA
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 622 kN
Payload to LEO: 185 kg
Payload to GTO: 0 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 21.0 m

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