The Breakthrough Starshot initiative reports the successful launch of its prototype Sprites, the world’s smallest fully functional space probes. The $100 million research and engineering program seeks to demonstrate proof of concept for new technology enabling ultra-light unmanned space flight at 20% of the speed of light, and to lay the foundations for a flyby mission to Alpha Centauri within a generation.

The Sprites achieved Low Earth Orbit as secondary payloads aboard OHB System AG’s ‘Max Valier’ and ‘Venta’ satellites and sent data back to ground stations in California and New York, as well as to amateur radio buffs. This mission is designed to test how well the Sprites' electronics perform in orbit, and demonstrates their novel radio communication architecture.

Constructed by researchers at Cornell University, the 3.5-by-3.5 centimeter chips weigh just four grams but contain solar panels, computers, sensors, and radios. These vehicles are the next step of a revolution in spacecraft miniaturization that can contribute to the development of centimeter- and gram-scale “StarChips” envisioned by the Breakthrough Starshot project.

Built on a single circuit board, Sprites are equipped with solar panels, computers, sensors and radios. (Source: Breakthrough Starshot)