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#20
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 03 Aug, 2020 16:45
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https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1290324622341222402 NASA’s Christopher Baker says at a NASA town hall meeting during the virtual #SmallSat conference that they’re now planning a mid-2021 launch for the CAPSTONE cubesat mission to the orbit the lunar Gateway will use. Total cost less than $30M.
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#21
by
jamesh9000
on 24 Nov, 2020 06:10
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Hi folks, I just got back from a Christchurch Aerospace meetup where Peter Beck Zoomed in and talked about what Rocket Lab is up to. I think just about everything he said was already known (there was nothing new about the recovered stage that hasn't already been talked about), but one thing he mentioned was that the capstone mission would be launching in April 2021. I'm pretty sure I haven't heard anything more accurate than "mid 2021" so I figured I'd pass it along.
He also mentioned that the spacecraft would do a super low pass over the moon, getting really close high res shots before heading out into a heliocentric orbit.
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#22
by
Jansen
on 09 Dec, 2020 16:58
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#23
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 11 Dec, 2020 17:43
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1337467385654087681 Photon is getting ready to go to the Moon! Spacecraft qualification is underway for the Photon that will transport @NASA’s CAPSTONE satellite into a unique lunar orbit that no other spacecraft has explored before. Learn more: bit.ly/3m9qxcl
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#24
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 12 Feb, 2021 07:14
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#25
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 15 Mar, 2021 19:18
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#26
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 24 Mar, 2021 00:30
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https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1374533677141520385We're getting ready for a mission to the Moon for @NASA. Yesterday's mission saw us take a big step toward that with the launch of our pathfinding Photon spacecraft which is designed to test systems and hardware ahead of the CAPSTONE mission later this year.
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#27
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 30 Mar, 2021 23:01
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YT version of video on previous post’s tweet
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#28
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 07 Apr, 2021 19:03
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twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1379869615770136576
Photon Pathstone's first 2 weeks on orbit have been busy! Our mission ops team completed flight system checkouts & risk reduction operations for key subsystems that will be used on the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon later this year. So far, Photon has passed with flying colors!
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1379870147129745409 Over the next two months, our team will perform several flight and ground software updates to test specific CAPSTONE modes and configurations. It's all in prep for for our biggest mission yet.
twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1379870526361927682
Among other systems, we’re testing a radio that we’ll use to communicate with Photon in the beginning of the mission when its in low Earth orbit and then when it’s around 300,000 km from Earth on its way to the Moon
https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1379870785754390530 We're also testing a Rocket Lab built guidance, navigation, and control system that will perform autonomous maneuvers that are coordinated and commanded from the brains of the system, the Rocket Lab built flight computer🧠🚀
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#29
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 06 May, 2021 22:18
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#30
by
zubenelgenubi
on 07 Jun, 2021 22:49
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Cross-post:
Multiple USA launch updates from SFN Launch Schedule, updated June 7
Electron / CAPSTONE
Launch date: NET October 20
Launch time: TBD
Launch site: Launch Complex 2, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Island, Virginia
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#31
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 06 Aug, 2021 19:13
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https://www.rocketlabusa.com/about-us/updates/rocket-lab-to-launch-nasa-funded-commercial-moon-mission-from-new-zealand/Rocket Lab to Launch NASA Funded Commercial Moon Mission from New Zealand
The CAPSTONE mission will be Rocket Lab’s first launch to the Moon
Long Beach, California. August 6, 2021 – Rocket Lab, the leading launch and space systems company, today announced it will launch the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand from Q4 2021. It will be Rocket Lab’s first launch to the Moon. CAPSTONE (the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) aids NASA’s Artemis program, which includes landing the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon and establishing a long-term presence there.
Launching on an Electron launch vehicle and deploying from Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform, CAPSTONE is a 55-pound satellite created by Advanced Space that will serve as the first spacecraft to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit. As a precursor for Gateway and other Artemis elements, an international and commercial Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis program, CAPSTONE will help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this halo-shaped orbit.
The mission is the first time Rocket Lab will use its Photon spacecraft platform as a trans-lunar injection stage to place a satellite on a trajectory that will take it beyond Earth orbit to the Moon. After lifting off on Electron to an initial elliptical low Earth orbit, Photon will separate and use its 3D printed HyperCurie engine to provide in-space propulsion to allow CAPSTONE to break free of Earth’s gravity and set a course for the Moon. After deploying the CAPSTONE satellite, Photon will continue on its own trajectory to conduct a lunar fly-by, while CAPSTONE will use its own propulsion system to enter a cislunar orbit.
Following a three-to-four-month trip to the Moon, the CAPSTONE CubeSat will enter a near rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO), which is a highly elliptical orbit over the Moon’s poles. During its six-month primary mission in orbit around the Moon, CAPSTONE will validate the propulsion requirements for maintaining this type of orbit as predicted by models, reducing logistical uncertainties for future missions. It will also test the accuracy of innovative spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation solutions as well as demonstrate capabilities for commercial support of future lunar missions. The NRHO provides the advantage of an unobstructed view of Earth in addition to coverage of the lunar South Pole.
Originally slated for lift-off from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, the CAPSTONE mission will now take place from Launch Complex 1 to support a Q4 launch window.
“Flexible isn’t a word usually used to describe lunar missions but operating two launch complexes gives us the freedom to select a site that best meets mission requirements and schedule,” said Rocket Lab Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Peter Beck. “Our team is immensely proud to be launching one of the first pathfinding missions to support NASA’s goal of delivering a sustainable and robust presence on the Moon. We’ve teamed up with the NASA Launch Services Program on previous Electron missions to low Earth orbit, so it’s exciting to be working with them again to go just a bit further than usual…some 380,000 km further.”
Advanced Space of Colorado, a leading commercial space solutions company, owns the satellite and operates the mission. CAPSTONE development is supported by NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate via the Small Spacecraft Technology Program at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Advanced Exploration Systems within NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate supports the launch and mission operations. NASA’s Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center in Florida is responsible for launch management.
ENDS
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#32
by
TrevorMonty
on 07 Aug, 2021 00:56
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They must of given up waiting for FTS to be sorted for Wallops.
Having their own launch site with next to air traffic to worry about is paying off.
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#33
by
Rondaz
on 07 Aug, 2021 20:12
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#34
by
butters
on 09 Aug, 2021 15:52
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Wouldn't a high-inclination launch azimuth from Mahia result in a significantly higher delta-V for TLI than if they were launching from Wallops?
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#35
by
trimeta
on 09 Aug, 2021 16:50
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Wouldn't a high-inclination launch azimuth from Mahia result in a significantly higher delta-V for TLI than if they were launching from Wallops?
Both Mahia and Wallops are at about 39 degrees latitude; they differ only in that one is north and the other south. The substantive difference is that due to overflight rules, you can't do SSO from Wallops without a bit of a dogleg, but that's not an issue for CAPSTONE naturally.
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#36
by
FutureSpaceTourist
on 09 Aug, 2021 21:09
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https://www.nasa.gov/feature/ames/capstone-s-cubesat-prepares-for-lunar-flightAug 6, 2021
CAPSTONE’s CubeSat Prepares for Lunar Flight
Small spacecraft will play a big role in lunar exploration, including a Moon-bound CubeSat launching later this year.
The Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, mission team is making the final preparations for the spacecraft that will make CubeSat history over a series of technological and operational firsts for the small platform.
Planned for launch in 2021, CAPSTONE will fly in cislunar space – the orbital area near and around the Moon – and demonstrate an innovative spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation technology. CAPSTONE also will test out a unique lunar orbit that Gateway will use as the Moon-orbiting outpost for NASA’s Artemis program.
CAPSTONE will use a hydrazine-fueled propulsion system during most of its three- to four- month journey to the Moon. This line of propulsion system, developed by Stellar Exploration Inc. of San Luis Obispo, California, is a recently developed and flight-proven system developed for use on CubeSats. The team recently completed a fueling and final test-fire of CAPSTONE’s propulsion system at Stellar Exploration’s facility and is integrating the system with the spacecraft.
But before CAPSTONE fires its own thrusters, Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket will launch the mission from Earth carrying the CAPSTONE spacecraft integrated onto its new Lunar Photon upper stage/spacecraft. For the mission, Lunar Photon will serve as an upper stage to get CAPSTONE to a highly efficient ballistic lunar transfer trajectory designed by Advanced Space of Colorado. About seven days after launch, after a series of orbit raising maneuvers and the final trans-lunar injection burn, Photon will release CAPSTONE. After the deep space, low energy transfer, the CAPSTONE spacecraft will insert itself into the near rectilinear halo orbit. At the same time, Lunar Photon will continue to a separate orbit for its safe disposal.
The CAPSTONE spacecraft is fast approaching completion. Near-term plans include continued integration, testing, and international shipment of the spacecraft in late September. Rocket Lab has identified its Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand as the CAPSTONE launch site. Onsite launch preparations will include checkouts and fueling of the CAPSTONE spacecraft and its subsequent integration with Photon.
In May 2021, New Zealand signed the Artemis Accords with NASA – a set of principles that reinforce and implement the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. The agency aims to assemble the broadest and most diverse international space exploration coalition in history. To date, 12 nations have signed the accords, and conversations with other nations are ongoing.
CAPSTONE is commercially owned and operated by Advanced Space in Westminster, Colorado. It represents an innovative collaboration between NASA and industry to provide rapid results and feedback to inform future exploration and science missions. Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems of Irvine, California, is building the microwave oven-sized 12-unit CubeSat platform.
NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate funds the demonstration mission. The program is based at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. Advanced Exploration Systems (AES) within NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate funds the launch and supports mission operations. The Launch Services Program at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida manages the launch service.
For news media:
Members of the news media interested in covering this topic should reach out to the NASA Ames newsroom.
Last Updated: Aug 6, 2021
Editor: Gianine Figliozzi
Caption 1:
The CAPSTONE team performs the full mission rehearsal of the propulsion hardware, with the qualification unit located in middle of the test stand. First, the propulsion tank is fueled with hydrazine propellant which requires the specialized protection for the operator (Level A encapsulated suits provide breathing and vapor protection for the Stellar engineers, Andrew Carlson and Sean Liston). Once the tank is filled with propellant, the full mission sequence is executed using the simulated satellite avionics and software.
Credits: Stellar Exploration
Caption 2:
The CAPSTONE propulsion flight hardware, integrated with its dedicated controller. This assembly is designed for a tight fit within the 12-unit CubeSat envelope. Eight thrusters protrude through four open ports of the CubeSat in order to minimize plume interactions and heat transmission to the spacecraft during operations.
Credits: Stellar Exploration
Caption 3:
CAPSTONE’s CubeSat is partially integrated.
CAPSTONE’s 12-Unit CubeSat nears completion. The spacecraft’s S-Band antenna is shown on the right side of the spacecraft. The 16 square-shaped elements on the surface of the flat plate are low-profile antennas, called patch antennas, that make up the S-Band antenna array. The antenna is integrated with the communications system structure. The red structures are handling fixtures that will be removed from the spacecraft prior to testing.
Credits: Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc.
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#37
by
PM3
on 11 Oct, 2021 11:53
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#38
by
PM3
on 12 Oct, 2021 21:05
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Looks like launch in 2022.
Here we go:
https://twitter.com/StephenClark1/status/1448036460121182209Jim Reuter, head of NASA’s space technology directorate, says at the Von Braun Symposium that the launch of the CAPSTONE CubeSat mission to the moon is now likely to occur in early 2022, a delay from this year.
CAPSTONE will launch with Rocket Lab from New Zealand.
The launch of CAPSTONE is targeted for no earlier than March 19, 2022, according to NASA's Andres Martinez.
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#39
by
TrevorMonty
on 29 Oct, 2021 23:12
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Most of this podcast is about Tom, start around 45min to hear about Capstone and RL launch. COVID has thrown spanner works as Capstone team need to go through MIQ (Managed Isolation and Quarantine)when coming into NZ, problem is booking slot in MIQ that coincides with launch window. Now that NZ is struck with COVID in community, bypassing MIQ maybe option for Capstone team.
RL had to build facility at Mahia to fuel satellite with Hydrazine which maybe part of reason for picking Wallops in first place.
https://twitter.com/SpaceBaseNZ/status/1440889193035489287?s=19At this rate the AFTS for Wallops could be sorted and they can launch from there.
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