On Dec. 16, 1962, NASA introduced the Explorer 16 spacecraft to study micrometeoroids near Earth. The mission would identify how most likely it would be for spacecraft to get harmed by the little space rocks and dust particles around the Earth.An artists illustration of NASAs Explorer 16 satellite, which introduced on Dec. 16, 1962 to study the micrometeoroid environment in area. (Image credit: NASA) The cylindrically shaped spacecraft determined about 6 feet long and 2 feet in diameter. It brought instruments that might spot when meteoroids strike the spacecraft and examine the resulting damage. Data from this mission assisted researchers figure out the size, number, circulation, and momentum of dust particles in the near-earth environment.Catch up on our whole “On This Day In Space” series on YouTube with this playlist. On This Day in Space Archive! Still not adequate space? Dont forget to have a look at our Space Image of the Day, and on the weekends our Best Space Photos and Top Space News Stories of the week. Email Hanneke Weitering at [email protected] or follow her @hannekescience. Follow us @Spacedotcom and on Facebook..
