Space Technology 5 (U.S.)

Updated May 8, 2019 | Infoplease Staff

Destination: Earth's magnetosphere. Launched: March 22, 2006. Mission: To test new technology and aid scientists in understanding Earth's magnetosphere. It is the fourth deep-space mission of NASA's New Millennium program. The Nanosat Constellation Trailblazer, known as Space Technology 5 or ST5, will test methods for operating three miniature spacecraft as a single system. Each of the spacecraft is about 17 in. (42 cm) across by 8 in. (20 cm) high and weighs about 47 lb.