SP-4012 NASA HISTORICAL DATA BOOK: VOLUME III
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 1969-1978

 

Table 3-60. Explorer 46 Characteristics

 

Also called:

Meteroid Technology Satellite

Date of launch (range):

July 13, 1972 (Wallops)

Launch vehicle:

Scout

Shape:

cylindrical with 12 experiment panels

Weight (kg):

167.8

Dimensions (m):

3.2, height

7. 1, bumper tip to tip

Power source:

solar array plus AgCd battery

Prime contractor:

in-house

Date of reentry:

Nov. 2, 1979

Responsible NASA center:

LaRC

Project manager:

Charles V. Woerner

Project scientist:

William H. Kinard

Objectives:

To provide measurements of the meteoroid penetration rates in a bumper-protected target and of meteoroid impact velocity.

Experiments (responsible organization):

bumper cell detectors (LaRC) meteoroid velocity detectors (LaRC) impact flux detectors (LaRC)

Results:

Partially successful; a wing deployment malfunction prevented full data return; however, the primary experiment operated for two years.

Reference: MOR R-713-72-05, Aug. 1, 1972.


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