Teaser Astronomy

These chip-sized spacecraft are the smallest space probes yet

Prototypes ride on satellites in low Earth orbit to test how their circuitry fares in space

diagram of Sprite

THE ITSY-BITSY SPACECRAFT  Prototypes of tiny spacecraft called Sprites are being tested in low Earth orbit. Similarly tiny probes may someday fly to Alpha Centauri.

Zac Manchester

By Maria Temming

- More than 2 years ago

Spacecraft have gone bite-sized. On June 23, Breakthrough Starshot, an initiative to send spacecraft to another star system, launched half a dozen probes called Sprites to test how their electronics fare in outer space.