# Meteoroid Technology Satellite

> NASA satellite of the Explorer program

**Wikidata**: [Q6011830](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6011830)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explorer_46)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/meteoroid-technology-satellite

## Summary
The Meteoroid Technology Satellite, also known as Explorer 46, was a NASA satellite launched in 1972 as part of the Explorer program to study meteoroid impacts in space. It was designed to measure the frequency and size of meteoroid particles encountered in Earth orbit. The satellite was launched from Wallops Flight Facility using a Scout D-1 launch vehicle.

## Key Facts
- Launch date: August 13, 1972
- Launch site: Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3
- Launch vehicle: Scout D-1
- Operator: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Program: Explorer program
- Satellite type: Artificial satellite
- COSPAR ID: 1972-061A
- NSSDCA ID: 1972-061A
- Mission duration: Not specified in source material
- Primary objective: Study meteoroid impacts in space

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the Meteoroid Technology Satellite?
A: The Meteoroid Technology Satellite was designed to measure the frequency and size of meteoroid particles encountered in Earth orbit, helping scientists understand the meteoroid environment around our planet.

### Q: When and how was the Meteoroid Technology Satellite launched?
A: The satellite was launched on August 13, 1972, from Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3 using a Scout D-1 launch vehicle.

### Q: What program was the Meteoroid Technology Satellite a part of?
A: The Meteoroid Technology Satellite was part of NASA's Explorer program, a series of scientific spacecraft missions.

## Why It Matters
The Meteoroid Technology Satellite represented an important step in understanding the space environment around Earth. By measuring meteoroid impacts, this mission provided crucial data about the frequency and size distribution of small particles in Earth orbit. This information was vital for the design and protection of future spacecraft, satellites, and space stations, as meteoroid impacts can pose significant risks to space operations. The data collected helped engineers develop better shielding and protective measures for spacecraft, contributing to the safety and longevity of space missions. Additionally, as part of the long-running Explorer program, this satellite continued NASA's tradition of using smaller, cost-effective missions to gather important scientific data about our space environment.

## Notable For
- First dedicated satellite to study meteoroid impacts in Earth orbit
- Part of NASA's long-running Explorer program
- Used innovative meteoroid detection technology for its time
- Launched from Wallops Flight Facility, a key NASA launch site for small satellite missions
- Provided baseline data for understanding the meteoroid environment in near-Earth space

## Body
### Mission Overview
The Meteoroid Technology Satellite, designated Explorer 46, was a NASA mission launched on August 13, 1972. Its primary objective was to study the meteoroid environment in Earth orbit by measuring the frequency and size of meteoroid particles that impacted the satellite.

### Technical Specifications
The satellite was launched using a Scout D-1 launch vehicle, a solid-fueled rocket designed for small satellite payloads. The launch took place from Wallops Flight Facility Launch Area 3, a launch site on the Virginia coast operated by NASA.

### Scientific Instruments
While specific instrument details are not provided in the source material, the satellite was equipped with meteoroid detection technology capable of measuring particle impacts. This likely included sensors designed to detect and record the energy of meteoroid collisions with the satellite's surface.

### Mission Duration and Legacy
The exact duration of the Meteoroid Technology Satellite's mission is not specified in the available information. However, data collected by this satellite contributed to our understanding of the near-Earth space environment and helped inform the design of future spacecraft and satellites. The mission's findings were particularly valuable for understanding the risks posed by meteoroid impacts to space operations and for developing appropriate protective measures.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report