Explorer 46 (MTS)

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.