NSSDCA ID: 1962-070A-04
Mission Name: S 55BThis experiment was one of five micrometeorite detectors aboard Explorer 16. It used a piezoelectric impact detector to measure micrometeoroid population in a momentum range somewhat higher than that of previous measurements, where few data exist. The detectors, acoustically decoupled from the satellite structure, were mounted at the end of the cylindrical satellite casing near the antennas. The detectors provided a total of 0.35 sq m of area exposed to micrometeoroids. The momentum of a micrometeoroid impacting on the detector assembly was converted into an electrical impulse. The detector had three levels of sensitivity. Data from the impact detectors were correlated with those of micrometeoroid effects on materials in the pressurized cell experiment. The impact detector sent useful data for 7-1/2 months. By July 1, 1963, 15,000 meteoroid impacts had been recorded by the sensors.
Questions and comments about this experiment can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office
Name | Role | Original Affiliation | |
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Mr. Alfred G. Beswick | Principal Investigator | NASA Langley Research Center |