The satellite was launched in March 1974 as an engineering test bed of technologies in orbit.

[2] Miranda was named after a character in the Shakespeare play The Tempest,[4][5] just like Prospero (spacecraft) and Ariel 1.

Miranda used propane cold gas thrusters for attitude control.

[1] It contained a Canopus star sensor to determine the reflectivity and interference caused by the propane.

[5] Designed as an engineering test bed for various technologies in orbit, Miranda carried various sensors and detectors.