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CAPSTONE Mission

completedLaunch 2022-070
Launched 6/28/2022HEOService CSat DSO OO
Admin Edit
Payloads
Assets deployed on this mission, enriched from spacecraft records.
2 payloads
CAPSTONE
retired
Science Exploration
LEO
Lunar Photon
retired
Science Explorationcislunar
Launch Details
Launch Date
6/28/2022
Launch ID
2022-070
Launch Profile
Sat DSO OO
Service Type
C
Customer Type
G
Orbit
HEO
Launch Stack
Operator
Rocket Lab
Launch Vehicle
Electron
Launch Site
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B, Mahia Peninsula (Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula)Mahia Peninsula, N Island
Payload Summary
Payload Count
2
Payload Status
retired 2
Payload Mission Types
Science Exploration 2
Track
Mentions
41
All verified mentions of this mission in source documents.

NASA’s CAPSTONE mission completed testing new technologies around the Moon.

CapabilityValue 3.0Jul 6, 2026RT by @GewoonLukas_: RT by @GewoonLukas_: NASA's CAPSTONE completes its mission testing new technologies around the Moon. From being the first spacecraft to verify a unique lunar orbit for science and exploration missions to serving as a testbed for cutting edge communication and autonomous navigation tools, CAPSTONE advanced @NASA_Technology that will support a sustained human presence on the Moon. Learn more:

Rocket Lab launched and operated NASA's CAPSTONE mission to the Moon.

RelationshipsGeneralValue 4.0Feb 17, 2026Mars relay orbiter seen as backbone for future exploration

The Photon spacecraft gained flight heritage in 2022 with NASA’s CAPSTONE mission to the Moon.

GeneralValue 2.8Nov 2, 2025Rocket Lab Completes a Spacecraft for a Cryogenic Fueling Mission

There were eight burns required for the CAPSTONE mission.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0Oct 10, 2025RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Remember that time we sent a spacecraft to the Moon? It almost didn’t happen. “We had eight burns to do. The engine was going to explode on the last burn to the Moon. So you know, that wasn’t going to work.” In ‘The Launch of Rocket Lab’, our book out next month, the nail-biting story behind the CAPSTONE mission is told in the words of the people who were there and achieved the impossible. Pre-order your copy: https://rocketlabcorp.com/book/

The CAPSTONE mission involved a spacecraft sent to the Moon.

GeneralValue 2.0Oct 10, 2025RT by @Cosmic_Penguin: Remember that time we sent a spacecraft to the Moon? It almost didn’t happen. “We had eight burns to do. The engine was going to explode on the last burn to the Moon. So you know, that wasn’t going to work.” In ‘The Launch of Rocket Lab’, our book out next month, the nail-biting story behind the CAPSTONE mission is told in the words of the people who were there and achieved the impossible. Pre-order your copy: https://rocketlabcorp.com/book/

Bradley Williams contributed to the design and integration phases of the CAPSTONE mission.

CapabilityValue 3.0Oct 23, 2024SSPI names the 2024 Promise Award Winners at the Future Leaders Celebration @ SVSW

The CAPSTONE mission cost is roughly $30 million, including a $10,000,000 launch vehicle procurement from Rocket Lab.

FinancialRelationshipsValue 4.0Jul 15, 2024NASA’s CAPSTONE is testing “Autopilot” software suite for cislunar operations

Rocket Lab’s Electron delivered the CAPSTONE mission payload to the Moon and supported two back-to-back Electron launches for NASA’s TROPICS mission in May 2023.

RelationshipsPlanCapabilityValue 4.0Jun 4, 2024Rocket Lab completes second launch for NASA’s PREFIRE and Ice climate science mission

Rocket Lab launched the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon on Electron and the spacecraft was deployed by a Rocket Lab Explorer spacecraft bus.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.3Apr 30, 2024Rocket Lab Prepares Consecutive Electron Launches for NASA's Climate Change Mission

Rocket Lab deployed the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon using Electron and a Rocket Lab Explorer spacecraft bus.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Apr 29, 2024Rocket Lab Prepares Back-To-Back Launches For Climate Change Research Mission For NASA

NASA’s CAPSTONE mission launched on an Electron rocket in June 2022.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Oct 30, 2023Rocket Lab plans launch of Venus mission as soon as late 2024

Rocket Lab launched the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon using its Electron launch vehicle and Lunar Photon satellite bus.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.5Aug 16, 2023Rocket Lab Signs Double Launch Deal with NASA for Climate Change Research Mission

Rocket Lab previously launched NASA’s CAPSTONE mission using its Electron launch vehicle and Lunar Photon satellite bus.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0Aug 15, 2023Rocket Lab to launch a NASA research mission

Rocket Lab provided launch services for the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon using its Electron launch vehicle and Lunar Photon satellite bus.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.5Aug 14, 2023Rocket Lab to Launch Climate Change Research Mission Focused on Arctic Ice Caps for NASA

Terran Orbital developed and co-operated the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) mission.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.8Jun 21, 2023Terran Orbital joins TIME100 Most Influential Companies

Starling joins other NASA missions launched by Rocket Lab since 2018, including the ELaNa-19 educational CubeSat program, the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon, and two dedicated Electron launches for the NASA TROPICS mission.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.0May 15, 2023Rocket Lab to Launch Small Satellite Swarm for NASA

Starling joins a list of NASA missions launched by Rocket Lab since 2018 that includes the ELaNa-19 educational CubeSat program, the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon, and two dedicated Electron launches for the NASA TROPICS mission.

RelationshipsValue 4.0May 10, 2023Rocket Lab Signs a Deal with NASA to Launch Small Satellite Swarm for Starling Mission

Starling joins other NASA missions launched by Rocket Lab since 2018, including the ELaNa-19 educational CubeSat program, the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon, and two dedicated Electron launches for the NASA TROPICS mission.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0May 9, 2023Rocket Lab to Launch Small Satellite Swarm for NASA

Rocket Lab set a previous launch turnaround record at Launch Complex 1 in 2022 when it launched NASA’s CAPSTONE mission followed by a dedicated mission for the National Reconnaissance Office 15 days later.

PlanGeneralValue 3.0Mar 6, 2023Rocket Lab Plans Two Launches Days Apart From Two Continents

The CAPSTONE mission includes a technology demonstration called the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System (CAPS) developed by Advanced Space to allow spacecraft near the Moon to determine their position without relying exclusively on Earth-based tracking.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Nov 21, 2022A new path for NASA’s future Artemis Moon missions is forged by CAPSTONE
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