NASA’s Launch of CAPSTONE’s CubeSat Paves the Way for Next Phase of Space Exploration – The Debrief

In late June, NASA launchedCAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment), a spacecraft containing a nanosatellite called CubeSat.CAPSTONE, according to a NASA statement, will help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative navigation technologies and verifying the dynamics of this halo-shaped orbit.

Currently, CAPSTONE is in low Earth orbit, and will only reach lunar orbit after four months. Once it gets to the Moon, it will take a week to complete a full orbit. A second CAPSTONE launch is slated for early November, and NASA is already expressing excitement about how promising these spacecraft are, and what theyll be able to achieve with its CubeSat technologies.

According to NASA, aCubeSat is a small satellite (nanosatellite) research spacecraft. No bigger than a microwave and weighing about three pounds, these mini-satellites are sent up on rockets to prepare for upcoming missions. Their small weight gives an easy payload for any rocket to carry.

CubeSats now provide a cost effective platform for science investigations, new technology demonstrations and advanced mission concepts using constellations, swarms disaggregated systems, a NASA FAQ page states. With the CAPSTONElaunch from New Zealand, its CubeSat was transported atop a 59-foot-tallRocket Lab Electron vehicle. Now that the CubeSat is in space, NASA can use it to assist in preparation for its upcoming launches.

The CAPSTONE launch and its CubeSat were specifically sent into space to prepare for NASAs Gateway, a proposed space habitat that will serve as a rest stop for astronauts traveling to and from the Moon.The CubeSat will test the Moons orbit to see if it is feasible for Gateway. Though the satellite collects and sends data for NASA and its scientists, it is actually operated by the Colorado company Advanced Space.

AsJim Reuter, an associate administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate, said in a statement, CAPSTONE is an example of how working with commercial partners is key for NASAs ambitious plans to explore the Moon and beyond. Were thrilled with a successful start to the mission and looking forward to what CAPSTONE will do once it arrives at the Moon.

Both CAPSTONE and CubeSat are helping to prepare for Gateway, which thereby is also helping to prepare for NASAs forthcoming Artemis missions. As part of the Artemis program, these missions will not only bring astronauts back to the Moon, but also work to set up nuclear power as well as an outpost on it.

Throughout its journey, NASA will be allowing viewers to follow along through the resources available at NASAs CAPSTONE webpage, as well as its social media accounts.

NASA partners will test cutting-edge tools for mission planning and operations, NASA said in a statement, paving the way and expanding opportunities for small and more affordable space and exploration missions to the Moon, Mars and other destinations throughout the solar system.

Kenna Hughes-Castleberry is a staff writer at the Debrief and the Science Communicator at JILA (a partnership between the University of Colorado Boulder and NIST). She focuses on deep tech, the metaverse, and quantum technology. You can find more of her work at her website: https://kennacastleberry.com/

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NASA's Launch of CAPSTONE's CubeSat Paves the Way for Next Phase of Space Exploration - The Debrief