An email has been sent to your address with instructions for changing your password.
There is no user registered with this email.
Sign Up
To create a free account, please fill out the form below.
Thank you for signing up!
A confirmation email has been sent to your email address. Please check your email and follow the instructions in the message to complete the registration process. If you do not receive the email, please check your spam folder or contact us for assistance.
Welcome to our platform!
Oops!
Something went wrong while trying to create your new account. Please try again and if the problem persist, Email Us to receive support.
Terran Orbital Ships CAPSTONE Satellite to New Zealand to Prepare for Integration Into Rocket Lab Launch Vehicle
Rhea-AI Impact
(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Very Positive)
Tags
Rhea-AI Summary
Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) announced the shipment of its CAPSTONE satellite to a launch site in New Zealand to support NASA’s Artemis program. The 12U CubeSat will be launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket to validate lunar navigation technologies. Designed for a four-month lunar transfer, CAPSTONE aims to establish a stable orbit for future lunar missions, paving the way for sustainable exploration. This mission underscores the collaboration between industry and government for space exploration advancements.
Positive
Successful shipment of CAPSTONE satellite for Artemis program.
Collaboration with NASA and Rocket Lab enhances credibility.
Innovative lunar transfer method to save propellant and optimize mission.
Negative
None.
Designed and built by Terran Orbital, CAPSTONE will support NASA’s Artemis program in reducing the risk for future Lunar bound spacecraft while propelling space exploration for all humankind
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States aerospace and defense industry, today announced it has shipped its CAPSTONE satellite to a launch site on the Mahia Peninsula of New Zealand. CAPSTONE will launch on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket using a Lunar Photon satellite upper stage to send the spacecraft on its planned lunar transfer trajectory. This historic pathfinding mission supports NASA’s Artemis program which includes landing the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (Photo: Terran Orbital Corporation)
Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, a Terran Orbital Corporation, built the spacecraft for the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, otherwise known as CAPSTONE. The 12U CubeSat includes a radio tower on top that extends its size from a traditional 12U form factor. CAPSTONE will not go directly to the Moon but instead, follow a “ballistic lunar transfer” that will take it out as far as 1.5 million kilometers before returning into lunar orbit. That transfer, which will take about four months to complete, is designed to save propellant, making the mission feasible for such a small spacecraft. The CAPSTONE payload and its software are owned and operated by Advanced Space for NASA.
“Terran Orbital is thrilled to have designed, built, and now shipped the CAPSTONE spacecraft,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “The technological and social implications of the Artemis program are groundbreaking. We are delighted to contribute the spacecraft to such a monumental mission and look forward to continuing our partnerships with NASA, Rocket Lab, and Advanced Space.”
“The CAPSTONE mission is a truly monumental moment for small spacecraft exploration,” said Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Beck. “Only a short number of years ago, it wouldn’t have been feasible to conduct a dedicated launch for a CubeSat to lunar orbit. Thanks to the Electron launch vehicle and Photon spacecraft, we’re bringing the Moon within reach for smallsats. We could not be more excited to partner with the teams at Advanced Space, Terran Orbital, and NASA to make this historic mission possible and pave the way for the Artemis program.”
"Getting to this point has been an exhilarating 2.5 years,” said Advanced Space Chief Executive Officer Bradley Cheetham. “We are proud of what this combined industry and government team has accomplished. Through this process, we have already learned a tremendous amount. As we get closer to launch, we are reminded that CAPSTONE is just the beginning of laying the groundwork for the sustainable exploration and development of the Moon."
"CAPSTONE is a great example of how NASA and industry working together makes ambitious exploration possible," said NASA Space Technology Mission Directorate Associate Administrator Jim Reuter. "It's incredibly exciting to see this trailblazing small satellite start its journey to the Moon."
As a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that is part of NASA’s Artemis program, CAPSTONE will help reduce the risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). Its location at a precise balance point in the gravities of the Earth and the Moon offers stability for long-term missions like Gateway and requires minimal energy to maintain. CAPSTONE’s orbit also establishes a location that is an ideal staging area for missions to the Moon and beyond.
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of small satellites primarily serving the United States aerospace and defense industry. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. In addition, Terran Orbital is developing one of the world's largest, most advanced NextGen Earth Observation constellations to provide persistent, real-time earth imagery. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com
What is the CAPSTONE mission by Terran Orbital (LLAP)?
The CAPSTONE mission aims to validate lunar navigation technologies for NASA's Artemis program and establish a stable lunar orbit.
When is the CAPSTONE satellite launching?
The CAPSTONE satellite will launch aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket, with the exact launch date not specified.
How will CAPSTONE benefit future lunar missions?
CAPSTONE will help reduce risks for future spacecraft by validating navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of lunar orbits.
Who built the CAPSTONE satellite?
CAPSTONE was built by Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, a subsidiary of Terran Orbital.
What is the significance of the Artemis program for LLAP?
The Artemis program is significant for LLAP as it allows the company to showcase its capabilities in satellite design and manufacturing for space exploration.
