Space Technology 5

Space Technology 5: "Although small, the ST5 satellites were 'full service,' meaning they carried guidance, navigation and control, attitude control, propulsion, high bandwidth, and complex communication functions. Each performed some of the same functions as their larger counterparts. ST5's objective was to demonstrate and space-test the ability of 'smart' satellites to identify scientific events and implement cooperative data-taking strategies.
The ST5 project also developed and built the spacecraft bus that enables the mission's multiple micro-sats to be launched from a single rocket and spun��like Frisbees�� into an elliptical Sun synchronous orbit ranging from 300 km (186 miles) to approximately 4,500 kilometers (2,796 miles) above Earth. The spinning motion was required to stabilize the spacecraft and allow for optimal use of sunlight by the solar array panels on the sides of the spacecraft. "