Meteoroid Technology Satellite

Meteoroid Technology Satellite
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Design of MTS.
Mission type Research of meteoroids
Operator NASA[1]
COSPAR ID 1972-061A[2]
SATCAT no. 6142[3]
Spacecraft properties
Manufacturer Langley Research Center
Launch mass 90 kg (200 lb)
Start of mission
Launch date 13 August 1972, 15:10 (1972-08-13UTC15:10) UTC[4]
Rocket Scout D-1 S184C[4]
Launch site Wallops LA-3A[4]
End of mission
Decay date 2 November 1979 (1979-11-03)[3]
Orbital parameters
Reference system Geocentric
Regime Low Earth
Eccentricity 0.02259[2]
Perigee 496 km (308 mi)[2]
Apogee 814 km (506 mi)[2]
Inclination 37.7°[2]
Period 97.80 minutes[2]
Epoch 14 November 1971[2]

Meteoroid Technology Satellite (also called as MTS or Explorer 46) was a NASA satellite launched as part of Explorers program.[5] MTS was launched on August 13, 1972 on Wallops Flight Facility, with an Scout-D rocket. The objectives of the MTS 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 metres (10.5 ft) long and carried the velocity and impact experiments. Bumper targets extended from the satellite, giving it an overall width of 7.015 metres (23.02 ft).[2]

MTS reentered in the atmosphere on November 2, 1979.[3]

Instruments

  • Multi-sheet bumper, 7 metres (23 ft) across, its detectors filled with gas, to register and telemeter loss of pressure;
  • 12 box-shaped velocity detectors at various locations along the spacecraft;
  • Impact flux detectors, with 64 detectors to assess the population of very small particles.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "Explorer 46/MTC". Space Encyclopedia. Claude Lafleur. 2010. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Meteoroid Technology Satellite". NSSDC Master Catalog. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Retrieved 19 June 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. 1 2 3 "EXPLORER 46 (MTS)". n2yo.com. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. ↑ "Letter dated 27 October 1972 from the Permanent Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General". (72-22115). UNOOSA. 1972-11-08. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
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