NASA's CAPSTONE mission, a cubesat launched in 2022, is testing advanced autonomous navigation and maneuvering software in cislunar space. Despite early technical issues, the spacecraft is now operational and aiding in the development of the cislunar Gateway space station. The mission, costing around $30 million, includes testing software for precision navigation, anomaly detection, and deep space maneuvering, aiming to enhance future spacecraft operations in the lunar vicinity.
CAPSTONE, a privately owned cubesat funded by NASA, continues to operate successfully more than a year after its launch. The spacecraft, owned by Advanced Space, is providing valuable data to support NASA's Artemis lunar exploration efforts. CAPSTONE has completed its primary mission in a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around the moon and is now in an enhanced mission phase focused on automation experiments and data collection. The spacecraft has overcome initial technical challenges and has been instrumental in testing the stability of NRHO and conducting navigation experiments. The experience gained from CAPSTONE will inform Advanced Space's future missions, including the development of the Oracle spacecraft for the Air Force Research Laboratory.
