SpaceDev reveals plan details

It's no secret SpaceDev is "currently focused on the commercial and military development of low-cost micro-satellites, nano-satellites and related subsystems" but what that means exactly has been a bit confusing.
On the one hand, they design rocket motors, like the one that lofted SpaceShipOne into Space. Jim Benson, Chairman and CEO of SpaceDev, is an innovative guy, so it's no wonder he has his fingers in a lot of pies. But why "micro-sats" and "nano-sats"?
We know they are far cheaper than full-sized versions, but there's more at stake than craft size. The secret to SpaceDev design modifications could mean a 30 percent reduction in the amount of aviation electronics required. Or more.
This is from a story at SpaceDaily.com:


SpaceDev's goal is to leverage its successful "microcomputer-like" corporate culture to increase the responsiveness of launch vehicles and to reduce the mass of the avionics. On a medium-size launch vehicle, SpaceDev estimates that the total mass of the avionics is up to 500 kg.
If the mass of the avionics is reduced by 30%, roughly two more SpaceDev CHIPSat-type microsats could be launched on the same vehicle.
SpaceDev intends to develop miniature, low-cost, highly reliable launch vehicle avionics weighing considerably less than that of existing, heavier systems.



(Read the entire story here.)
The implications of what they aim to do will be far reaching. Thirty-percent is thirty percent, whether you're flying a SpaceDev CHIPSat or the Millennium Falcon. That's more weight to spend on cargo, science experiments, passengers--just about anything.
Or it's less weight to have to push around, meaning longer duration flights and less fuel consumption. It's a true "win-win" for everyone.