
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) deployed two small nanosatellites into orbit on June 30 as part of an experiment to test networked communications and help reduce technological risk in the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) program. On July 12 MDA said these satellites, called CubeSats, started successfully communicating with ground stations over the July 4 weekend as the first step in the experiment. CubeSats typically range from four to eight inches in width and diameter, four to 13…