Terran Orbital Integrates CAPSTONE Aboard Rocket Lab Electron Rocket
June 24 2022 - 3:28PM
Business Wire
The Terran Orbital designed and built satellite
is flying a trailblazing path to the moon in support of NASA’s
historic Artemis program
Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in
satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied
aerospace and defense industries, today announced the successful
integration of the CAPSTONE spacecraft aboard the Rocket Lab
Electron rocket. The Terran Orbital designed and built satellite is
flying a pathfinding mission to the moon in support of NASA’s
historic Artemis program. The Terran Orbital team produced
CAPSTONE’s hardware, assembled and tested the spacecraft, and
integrated the satellite for its upcoming launch. The launch will
take place from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia
Peninsula as early as 10:00 a.m. UTC / 6:00 a.m. EDT / 3:00 a.m.
PDT on June 27, 2022. CAPSTONE is owned and operated by Advanced
Space on behalf of NASA.
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CAPSTONE fully integrated onto the Photon
upper stage (Image Credit: Rocket Lab)
The Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations
and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) will be the first spacecraft
to test the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) around the Moon.
CAPSTONE includes a radio tower on top that extends its size from a
traditional 12U form factor. Rather than follow the typical direct
to Moon path, CAPSTONE will follow a “ballistic lunar transfer”
that will extend its reach up to 1.5 million kilometers before
returning into lunar orbit – saving propellant and enabling the
spacecraft to complete a mission that was previously impossible for
a spacecraft of its size.
“CAPSTONE is an enormous achievement for small spacecraft
exploration,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief
Executive Officer Marc Bell. “Working alongside NASA, Rocket Lab,
and Advanced Space has been a privilege. Terran Orbital is proud to
have built, designed, and integrated the spacecraft for this
historic mission and we look forward to running spacecraft
operations throughout CAPSTONE’s journey.”
"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."
“The CAPSTONE mission is a testament to the power of
collaboration, technological innovation, and perseverance,” said
Advanced Space Chief Executive Officer and CAPSTONE Principal
Investigator Bradley Cheetham. “The industry and NASA team
delivered a mission that will enable the sustainable exploration,
development, and settlement of space. Leading this historic mission
for NASA has been an honor. Our teams are focused on the next phase
of the launch and ultimately the spacecraft separation in 6 days.
From this point our small spacecraft will fly itself to the Moon,
leading the way for future missions.”
“Going to the Moon is a team effort and we have phenomenal
mission partners in Terran Orbital, Advanced Space, and NASA,” said
Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Beck.
“Together, we’re bringing missions beyond low Earth orbit within
reach and paving a new path to the Moon.”
The launch will be broadcast live from approximately 45 minutes
prior to lift-off at www.nasa.gov/live.
Visit NASA.gov/capstone and www.terranorbital.com/capstone for
full mission information.
For real-time updates on the CAPSTONE mission in the lead-up to
launch, follow Terran Orbital, NASA, Rocket Lab, and Advanced Space
on Twitter.
@TerranOrbital @NASA @NASAAmes @RocketLab @AdvancedSpace
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of small satellites
primarily serving the United States and Allied 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.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220624005458/en/
Virginia Norder pr@terranorbital.com 949-508-6404
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