Re: Lifetimes?
Indeed these little critters were just a proof of concept. Indeed they exceeded their remit since they weren't really needed to relay the data, that was an added bonus.Surviving the journey was the main objective for them.
It will be more likely now that future missions will include micro sats to perform relaying duties for larger probes. And some of them will be orbiters I'm sure.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
