CAPSTONE
A microwave oven-sized CubeSat named CAPSTONE was the first spacecraft successfully inserted into a cislunar near rectilinear halo orbit, characterizing the orbit for future spacecraft. It demonstrated autonomous navigation technology and served as an in-orbit testbed for new capabilities that will support future lunar exploration. After nearly four years of successful technology maturation, NASA’s activities on CAPSTONE concluded in June 2026. The spacecraft will continue to provide risk reduction and demonstration for future missions.
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lunar Orbit insertion maneuver
CAPSTONE, a 12U CubeSat, is the first spacecraft to operate in a near rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon. The mission validated communications, networking, and autonomous navigation capabilities, including using peer-to-peer ranging with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The spacecraft has also successfully characterized its orbit, confirming power and propulsion requirement models, reducing risk for future Artemis missions.
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What is CAPSTONE?
Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE)
On Nov. 13, 2022, the CAPSTONE spacecraft entered lunar orbit successfully completing its primary technology demonstration objectives within six months. The extended CAPSTONE mission which ended in June 2026, enabled further exploration of lunar orbit characteristics, advanced navigation technologies through interaction with NASA’s LRO spacecraft, and demonstrated innovative networking and spacecraft positioning technologies.
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