Terran Orbital (NYSE:LLAP) has marked the one-year milestone of the CAPSTONE mission in a lunar Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO).
In a statement, the company said it designed, built and integrated the CAPSTONE spacecraft for Advanced Space. Key features include its alignment with Terran Orbital’s Voyager platform specifications, producing over 100W of peak power, incorporating redundant avionics for enhanced reliability, and featuring Stellar Exploration’s robust propulsion system.
Terran noted that CAPSTONE accomplished its primary objective within the first six months in NRHO, successfully testing the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System (CAPS) in coordination with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO).
This included showcasing the spacecraft's capability to fulfill its intended purpose of achieving and maintaining NRHO, imaging the Moon, and paving the way for future lunar exploration efforts.
The company said the spacecraft's operations in NRHO have provided NASA with valuable, cost-effective data for the planned Gateway space station, crucial for supporting NASA’s Artemis missions to the lunar surface.
“CAPSTONE's continued success demonstrates its contribution to setting new standards in spacecraft performance and resilience, pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration,” Terran Orbital commented.
“The mission's achievements are a testament to the collaborative efforts of the entire CAPSTONE team, reaffirming Terran Orbital Corporation's commitment to advancing the frontiers of space exploration.”
CAPSTONE has remained in NRHO, continuing to conduct experiments during an enhanced mission phase.
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries.
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