Meteoroid Technology Satellite

NASA satellite of the Explorer program. Meteoroid Technology Satellite was launched on August 13, 1972 aboard a Scout D-1 from Wallops. Latest status in GCAT: reentered attached to another object (Nov 2, 1979).

COSPAR 1972-061ANORAD 6142United States

Identity

Name in GCAT: Explorer 46
Common name: Meteoroid Technology Satellite
Payload designation: Meteoroid Technology Sat
International designator: 1972-061A
NORAD catalog number: 6142
GCAT identifier: S06142
UN registration: A/AC.105/INF.262

Mission

Mission type: Space science
Use: Civil government
Program: Explorer MTS
Owner: NASA LaRC
Country: United States
Builder: NASA Langley Research Center
Platform (bus): MTS

Launch

Date: August 13, 1972 · 15:10 UTC
Launch record: 1972-061Success
Rocket: Scout D-1
Spaceport: Wallops · pad LA3A

Orbit and fate

Orbit class (GCAT): LEO/I
Perigee: 494 km
Apogee: 810 km
Inclination: 37.70°
Status: Reentered attached to another object
Status date: November 2, 1979
Last known active: Jun 5, 1975
End of operations: Jun 5, 1975

Size

Mass: 168 kg
Dry mass: 168 kg
Total mass with attached objects: 206 kg
Length: 3.2 m
Diameter: 0.60 m
Span: 7.0 m

Source: GCAT payload, deep-space and lander catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata Q6011830 (CC0).