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

This article is only available to Science News subscribers.

Subscribers, enter your e-mail address to access our archives.

Not a subscriber?

Science News is a nonprofit.

Support us by subscribing now.

More Stories from Science News on Astronomy

  1. Parker Solar Probe illustration
    Space

    The Parker Solar Probe will have company on its next pass by the sun

    By Lisa Grossman
  2. Milky Way galactic center
    Astronomy

    The Milky Way’s central black hole may have turned nearby red giant stars blue

    By Ken Croswell
  3. Milky Way X-ray bubbles
    Astronomy

    Enormous X-ray bubbles balloon from the center of the Milky Way

    By Emily Conover
  4. Arecibo telescope
    Space

    Here are 10 of Arecibo’s coolest achievements

    By Maria Temming
  5. Collapsed Arecibo telescope
    Space

    Why losing Arecibo is a big deal for astronomy

    By Maria Temming
  6. Geminid meteor shower
    Space

    December’s stunning Geminid meteor shower is born from a humble asteroid

    By Ken Croswell
  7. Magnetar illustration
    Space

    Astronomers spotted colliding neutron stars that may have formed a magnetar

    By Lisa Grossman
  8. M83 galaxy
    Space

    Runaway stars may create the mysterious ultraviolet glow around some galaxies

    By Ken Croswell

From the Nature Index

Paid Content