Navy's new 'beach ball' satellite takes a spin from the ISS

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station have launched a spherical, beach ball-sized satellite whose performance could help the military in its quest for smaller, less expensive satellites that can be used to extend communications or support specific missions. Developed by the Naval Research Lab, the SpinSat’s primary mission is to test a new thruster technology that could be applied to altitude control for small satellites the Navy is developing, such as cube, pico and nano staellites. More

(Source: Defense Systems - Jan 14)