Tiny eyes in space
The US Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded a US $3.5 million deal to a consortium of labs and companies to develop a prototype of a propulsion system that could propel microsatellites into space. These tiny microsatellites would measure about 10 cm along the edge and weigh a few kilograms. The military is interested in their use as ballistic missile interceptors. The communications companies are interested too, and perceive these tiny wonders as configurable antennae in space which could be deployed in any position ( Scientific American , Vol 279, No 5).