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CAPSTONE

retired
Science ExplorationLEOCOSPAR 2022-070ALaunched 6/28/2022
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Mission & Launch
Launch Mission
CAPSTONE Mission
Launch Vehicle
Electron
Launch Date
6/28/2022
Last Contact
6/30/2026
Orbit & Mass
Orbit Class
LEO
Altitude
606.5 km
Inclination
39.12 deg
Dry Mass
20 kg
Total Mass
25 kg
Payload Classification
Mission Type
Science Exploration
Payload Category
PLAN
Payload Class
B
Organizations
Operator
Advanced Space
Manufacturer
Lockheed Martin
Registry
COSPAR ID
2022-070A
UN Registration
ST/SG/SER.E/1076
Track
Mentions
183
All verified mentions of this spacecraft in source documents.
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CAPSTONE served as a testbed for communication and autonomous navigation tools.

CapabilityValue 2.5Jul 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:

CAPSTONE advanced NASA technology intended to support a sustained human presence on the Moon.

General
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Value 2.0
Jul 6, 2026
RT 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:

The CAPSTONE cubesat was built by Terran Orbital for Advanced Space, which owns and operates CAPSTONE.

RelationshipsGeneralValue 4.3Nov 17, 2025Review: The Launch of Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab's lunar cubesat launch of CAPSTONE demonstrated operations in a lunar near-rectilinear halo orbit.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Nov 17, 2025Review: The Launch of Rocket Lab

U.S. Army assessments, including 'Armored Formation Network On The Move,' 'Network Modernization Experiment (NETMODX),' and 'Project Convergence Capstone,' informed the decision to select Kymeta's technology.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 3.5Nov 16, 2025Kymeta selected as multi-orbit MILSATCOM provider for U.S. Army’s NGC2 Pilot

U.S. Army assessments such as 'Armored Formation Network On The Move,' 'Network Modernization Experiment (NETMODX),' and 'Project Convergence Capstone' informed the decision to select Kymeta's technology.

RelationshipsValue 3.5Oct 16, 2025Kymeta selected as multi-orbit SATCOM provider for U.S. Army’s NGC2 pilot

U.S. Army assessments including 'Armored Formation Network On The Move,' 'Network Modernization Experiment (NETMODX),' and 'Project Convergence Capstone' informed the decision to select Kymeta’s technology.

RelationshipsCapabilityGeneralValue 3.0Oct 13, 2025Latest News

The CAPSTONE lunar orbiter has been conducting automated navigation demonstrations with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter for over two years.

CapabilityGeneralValue 3.2Jun 16, 2025Moon Monday #229: China extends lead in lunar orbital infrastructure, gets an edge in future crewed missions over the US

The NASA-funded CAPSTONE lunar orbiter, led by Advanced Space, has been cross-communicating with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter for over two years to perform Moon-to-Moon demonstrations.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Apr 21, 2025Moon Monday #222: How China navigated failure to nail down lunar navigation success

CAPSTONE launched on 2022-06-28 aboard a Rocket Lab Electron booster from New Zealand.

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

Advanced Space is working with NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to provide testing opportunities on CAPSTONE.

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

A Flight Dynamics System tested on CAPSTONE is appraising the ability to provide rapid-turnaround navigation and maneuver planning for deep space and cislunar missions.

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

Boeing completed a capstone demonstration in December for its ESS prototype and has developed that prototype using satellite bus and payload technologies from other military and commercial programs.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.4Apr 26, 2024Space Force opens bidding for classified communications satellites

Northrop Grumman completed a capstone technology demonstration for its ESS prototype in December and is incorporating lessons learned from the rapid prototype into its ESS production proposal that it plans to deliver 2024.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Apr 26, 2024Space Force opens bidding for classified communications satellites

The CAPSTONE spacecraft executed onboard tests of SigmaZero on 2024-01-29.

CapabilityPlanValue 4.0Mar 22, 2024Advanced Space Demonstrates Successful Use of AI in Cislunar Space with CAPSTONE Mission

The CAPSTONE spacecraft executed a second SigmaZero test on 2024-03-10.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Mar 22, 2024Advanced Space Demonstrates Successful Use of AI in Cislunar Space with CAPSTONE Mission

Terran Orbital’s Pathfinder-Triumph Class 6U CubeSat and Capstone-Voyager Class 12U CubeSat platforms provide the size, capability, and performance required for the NASA missions covered by the contract.

CapabilityRelationshipsValue 3.5Mar 8, 2024Terran Orbital Secures $45 Million IDIQ Contract from NASA for Space Technology Advancement

NASA selected Terran Orbital based on the proven capabilities of the company’s standard space vehicle platforms, including the Pathfinder-Triumph Class 6U CubeSat and the Capstone-Voyager Class 12U CubeSat.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.0Mar 8, 2024Terran Orbital Secures $45 Million IDIQ Contract from NASA for Space Technology Advancement

The Capstone-Voyager Class 12U CubeSat is a standard space vehicle platform offered by Terran Orbital.

CapabilityValue 3.5Mar 6, 2024Terran Orbital awarded IDIQ contract by NASA

NASA selected Terran Orbital based on the proven capabilities of the company’s standard space vehicle platforms, including the Pathfinder-Triumph Class 6U CubeSat and the Capstone-Voyager Class 12U CubeSat.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.2Mar 6, 2024Terran Orbital awarded IDIQ contract by NASA