NASA demonstrates nanosatellite system
NASA recently succesfully demontrated their Miniature Autonomous Extravehicular Robotic Camera (Mini AERCam),
something they've been working on since early 2000. And even though it's the size of a volleyball, they're calling it a
"nanosatellite" — but hey, who are we to argue with NASA? The cameras are themselves free-flying spacecraft with GPS
navigation, to be used to give astronauts remote-controllable views of the spacecraft exterior or views of astronaut spacewalks. They say devices like these will be especially important during long-duration missions, where they can perform external inspections, keeping spacewalks to a minimum. NASA hasn't said yet when they'll see any action in space, but it won't be on the upcoming STS-114 shuttle mission.