The official mission length is just how long they have to wait before calling it a success. They expect it to last much longer. Since this is primarily a tech

The official mission length is just how long they have to wait before calling it a success. They expect it to last much longer. Since this is primarily a technology demonstrator once it's a "success" more options open up for actually experimenting with tactics and the limits of the device. It's like how you wait until you've left the parking lot to do a big smokey burnout and see how fast a rental goes in 1st gear.