CAPSTONE
A microwave oven–sized CubeSat, named CAPSTONE, weighing just 55 pounds tests a unique, elliptical lunar orbit as a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis campaign. The CAPSTONE spacecraft is helping reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this halo-shaped orbit.
As a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis program, Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment or CAPSTONE, will help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this halo-shaped orbit.
Mission Type
Led By
Launch
lunar Orbit insertion maneuver
About
What is CAPSTONE?
On Nov. 13, 2022, the CAPSTONE spacecraft entered lunar orbit successfully completing its technology demonstration objectives within six months. The newly extended CAPSTONE mission enables further exploration of lunar orbit characteristics, advancement of navigation technologies through interaction with other NASA spacecraft and communication networks, and demonstration of innovative networking and spacecraft positioning technologies.
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