Explorer 16 (Micrometeoroid Satellite)
Explorer 16 was NASA’s micrometeoroid satellite launched on December 16, 1962 to measure particle penetration and the meteoroid environment around Earth with multiple impact-detection systems.
Follow this mission
Alerts are unavailable because this mission is no longer active.
Identity
- Aliases
- Explorer XVIExplorer 161962 BETA CHI 1NASA S-55BS115
- Name
- Explorer 16 (Micrometeoroid Satellite)
- Status
- completed
Details
- Astronauts
- -
- Description
- Explorer 16 was NASA’s micrometeoroid satellite launched on December 16, 1962 to measure particle penetration and the meteoroid environment around Earth with multiple impact-detection systems.
- Destination
- Elliptical low Earth orbit at approximately 750 km perigee and 1,180 km apogee (52° inclination; 104-minute period)
- End Date
- 1963-09-15
- Outcome
- Explorer 16’s three micrometeoroid detection systems recorded punctures in thin metallic and polymer samples and produced sustained measurements of the meteoroid hazard for spacecraft design.
- Programs
- Start Date
- 1962-12-16
- Vehicle Families
Links
- Official Url
- https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19630002763
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- August 14, 2026 at 19:45:42 UTC
- Updated Time
- August 21, 2026 at 10:42:56 UTC
Other
- Affiliations
- Space Stations
- -
- Vehicles