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Big Hopes for Tiny Satellites

Posted by michael on from the size-matters dept.

shelflife writes: "ST5, according to NASA, will usher in a new era of small, smart spacecraft. Why send a human into space when you can send a computer? And why send something almost as heavy as a UNIVAC if a laptop will do? Compact nanosatellites will have everything you'd want in a full-size, luxury satellite. They will have the attitudinal and navigational capabilities needed to maintain proper orbits, and they will be capable of complex, high-bandwidth communications functions."

1 of 152 comments (clear)

  1. Computers vs. Humans by volpe · · Score: 1, Troll
    Why send a human into space when you can send a computer?
    Because a computer simply wouldn't get the same sense of pride and satisfaction out of planting the American Flag on the surface of Mars.