Cracker-Size Satellites To Launch With Endeavour

Posted by Soulskill on Monday May 2, 2011 @04:03PM from the do-not-go-well-with-cheez-whiz dept.

Obfiscator writes with news of the upcoming deployment of satellite-on-a-chip devices measuring just 3.8cm x 3.8cm x 0.2cm. The satellites are set to launch with Endeavour on its final flight. "These three miniature satellites are being launched as a proof-of-concept. As such, they're being deployed in very low orbit, and should return to earth fairly quickly in order to avoid becoming dangers for other satellites. 'They each contain seven solar cells, a microprocessor, an antenna and amplifier, power storage in capacitors, and switching circuitry to turn on the microprocessor when the stored energy is enough to create a single radio-frequency emission.' Due to their size, atmospheric drag would slow them down without burning them up, allowing them to study the uppermost atmosphere of wherever they are deployed next: Venus, Titan, Europe, and Jupiter are all possibilities."

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Easier ways to get the job done by Max+Hyre · 2011-05-02 16:03 · Score: 4, Funny

Can't they sample the atmosphere over Europe with meteorology balloons?

--
I refuse to believe corporations are people until Texas executes one. -- desert rain on http://www.dailykos.com/user/
All these worlds are yours... by Bieeanda · 2011-05-02 16:13 · Score: 4, Funny

Except Europe. Attempt no landing there.
1. Re:All these worlds are yours... by isorox · 2011-05-02 22:01 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  Except Europe. Attempt no landing there.
  Ahh, that explains why I spent 2 hours circling over Heathrow this morning