NASA launched a small satellite called CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) late last June. According to new information from the space agency, the connection with CAPSTONE has been lost. Crews are trying to re-establish contact with the small satellite.
CAPSTONE will be used for Artemis missions
Launched on June 28 aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, CAPSTONE sailed for the Moon, spending six days in Earth orbit to gain enough velocity. According to the statements made, communication with the 25kg satellite was lost on July 4, shortly after leaving orbit.
NASA spokesperson Sarah Frazier said in a statement: “The spacecraft crew is currently working to understand the cause and re-establish contact. It has enough fuel to delay the post-departure trajectory correction maneuver by several days, if needed. Additional updates will be provided as soon as possible.” she said.
If plans go well, CAPSTONE will enter an almost linear orbit around the Moon on November 13. The mission of the satellite will be to verify the orbit of the Gateway space station, which will be used for the Artemis missions intended to send humans to the Moon.
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