Making History: Terran Orbital-Developed CAPSTONE Enters NRHO Around the Moon

Rhea-AI Summary

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) announced the successful arrival of its CAPSTONE spacecraft in a Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit around the Moon on November 13. This milestone supports NASA's Artemis missions, paving the way for future lunar exploration. CAPSTONE aims to deliver valuable data about operations in NRHO and will demonstrate new technologies, enhancing inter-satellite communications. The mission, launched on June 28, showcases Terran Orbital’s capabilities in satellite design and operations, marking a significant achievement in commercial space exploration.

Positive

• Successful arrival of CAPSTONE in NRHO around the Moon enhances credibility for Terran Orbital.
• CAPSTONE supports NASA's Artemis missions, potentially leading to future contracts.
• Demonstrates Terran Orbital's advanced technology in satellite design and operations.

Negative

• None.

The satellite is forging a new lunar path in support of NASA’s Artemis missions

BOCA RATON, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, today announced the Terran Orbital-developed CAPSTONE spacecraft successfully arrived in a Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) around the Moon on Nov. 13. Following an initial orbit insertion maneuver on Sunday, CAPSTONE will perform clean-up maneuvers over the next several days to complete insertion into its target orbit. The spacecraft’s arrival in this unique elongated orbit marks the next phase of its pathfinding lunar mission.

CAPSTONE is the first satellite to operate in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit around the Moon (Image Credit: Terran Orbital Corporation)

Designed, built, and integrated by Terran Orbital and led by Advanced Space of Westminster, Colorado, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, otherwise known as CAPSTONE, launched on Rocket Lab’s Lunar Photon spacecraft bus aboard an Electron launch vehicle on June 28. Spacecraft operations are shared between Terran Orbital and Advanced Space for NASA.

The CAPSTONE mission will lay the groundwork for future lunar exploration by proving the operations of robust missions in NRHO. CAPSTONE's goal is to provide rapid and low-cost data about operations in NRHO around the Moon, the same orbit planned for Gateway – a space station that will orbit around the Moon to provide astronauts with access to the lunar surface in support of NASA's Artemis missions.

Until now, this demonstration would be impossible for a 12U form factor such as CAPSTONE – but the compact, low power, and robust system design of Terran Orbital’s MRKII avionics enabled the creation of this 12U interplanetary platform. Once the CAPSTONE vehicle finalizes insertion into the NRHO orbit, the team will prepare to demonstrate the CAPS software, developed by Advanced Space, to demonstrate inter-satellite ranging with the goal of reducing ground station congestion with the expected increase in satellite activity around the Moon.

“To say we are proud of the CAPSTONE team is an understatement,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “From Rocket Lab’s perfect launch to NRHO insertion, we had the privilege of never experiencing a dull moment. Terran Orbital engineers continuously met rapidly changing circumstances with precision and innovation bolstered by the advantages of in-house hardware and software development. The design, modeling, and simulation concepts refined throughout the process will ensure the successful flights of countless future generations of spacecraft. Terran Orbital is grateful for the trust, support, and collaboration of NASA, Advanced Space, and Rocket Lab and we look forward to fostering these partnerships in imminent collaborations.”

“Guiding CAPSTONE to the Moon was a once-in-a-lifetime experience none of us will ever forget,” continued Bell. “We cannot wait for the next Terran Orbital-developed Artemis-supporting satellite – LunIR – to launch. With CAPSTONE we created a new map TO the Moon. With LunIR we will create a new map OF the Moon. It doesn’t get much cooler than that.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the entire CAPSTONE team that has overcome unexpected challenges during the lunar transfer,” said Austin Williams. “The success of this mission is a testament to the rapidly growing commercial space industry. Risk reduction missions like CAPSTONE are aggressive, fast, and forward-leaning with the intent of pushing the state-of-the-art. Unequivocally, the CAPSTONE mission has succeeded in this regard.”

“This combined CAPSTONE mission team, including Advanced Space, Terran Orbital, NASA and others, has demonstrated an entirely new approach to supporting space exploration,” said Advanced Space Chief Executive Officer and CAPSTONE Principal Investigator Bradley Cheetham. “This is a major milestone not just for our organizations but for our industry.”

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221114005440/en/

Virginia Norder

pr@terranorbital.com

949-508-6404

Source: Terran Orbital Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of CAPSTONE's arrival in Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit?

CAPSTONE's arrival marks a key milestone for Terran Orbital and supports NASA's Artemis missions, facilitating future lunar exploration.

When did Terran Orbital's CAPSTONE spacecraft successfully reach the Moon?

The CAPSTONE spacecraft successfully arrived in its lunar orbit on November 13.

What technologies does the CAPSTONE mission demonstrate?

CAPSTONE aims to demonstrate inter-satellite ranging and reduce ground station congestion around the Moon.

When was the CAPSTONE spacecraft launched?

The CAPSTONE spacecraft was launched on June 28.

What is the role of Terran Orbital in the CAPSTONE mission?

Terran Orbital developed, built, and integrated the CAPSTONE spacecraft, showcasing its capabilities in satellite-based solutions.