IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–May 10, 2022–
Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a worldwide chief in satellite tv for pc options, primarily serving the United States aerospace and protection trade, at present introduced it has shipped its CAPSTONE satellite tv for pc to a launch web site on the Mahia Peninsula of New Zealand. CAPSTONE will launch on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket utilizing a Lunar Photon satellite tv for pc higher stage to ship the spacecraft on its deliberate lunar switch trajectory. This historic pathfinding mission helps NASA’s Artemis program which incorporates touchdown the primary lady and first particular person of coloration on the Moon.
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Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (Photo: Terran Orbital Corporation)
Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, a Terran Orbital Corporation, constructed the spacecraft for the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, in any other case referred to as CAPSTONE. The 12U CubeSat features a radio tower on prime that extends its dimension from a conventional 12U kind issue. CAPSTONE is not going to go immediately to the Moon however as a substitute, observe a “ballistic lunar transfer” that may take it out so far as 1.5 million kilometers earlier than returning into lunar orbit. That switch, which can take about 4 months to full, is designed to save propellant, making the mission possible for such a small spacecraft. The CAPSTONE payload and its software program are owned and operated by Advanced Space for NASA.
“Terran Orbital is thrilled to have designed, built, and now shipped the CAPSTONE spacecraft,” mentioned Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “The technological and social implications of the Artemis program are groundbreaking. We are delighted to contribute the spacecraft to such a monumental mission and look forward to continuing our partnerships with NASA, Rocket Lab, and Advanced Space.”
“The CAPSTONE mission is a truly monumental moment for small spacecraft exploration,” mentioned Rocket Lab Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Beck. “Only a short number of years ago, it wouldn’t have been feasible to conduct a dedicated launch for a CubeSat to lunar orbit. Thanks to the Electron launch vehicle and Photon spacecraft, we’re bringing the Moon within reach for smallsats. We could not be more excited to partner with the teams at Advanced Space, Terran Orbital, and NASA to make this historic mission possible and pave the way for the Artemis program.”
“Getting to this point has been an exhilarating 2.5 years,” said Advanced Space Chief Executive Officer Bradley Cheetham. “We are proud of what this combined industry and government team has accomplished. Through this process, we have already learned a tremendous amount. As we get closer to launch, we are reminded that CAPSTONE is just the beginning of laying the groundwork for the sustainable exploration and development of the Moon.”
“CAPSTONE is a great example of how NASA and industry working together makes ambitious exploration possible,” mentioned 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.”
As a pathfinder for Gateway, a Moon-orbiting outpost that’s a part of NASA’s Artemis program, CAPSTONE will assist scale back the danger for future spacecraft by validating revolutionary navigation applied sciences and verifying the dynamics of the Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO). Its location at a exact stability level within the gravities of the Earth and the Moon presents stability for long-term missions like Gateway and requires minimal power to preserve. CAPSTONE’s orbit additionally establishes a location that is a perfect staging space for missions to the Moon and past.
About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a number one producer of small satellites primarily serving the United States aerospace and protection trade. Terran Orbital gives end-to-end satellite tv for pc options by combining satellite tv for pc design, manufacturing, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit assist to meet the wants of probably the most demanding army, civil, and business prospects. In addition, Terran Orbital is creating one of many world’s largest, most superior NextGen Earth Observation constellations to present persistent, real-time earth imagery. Learn extra at www.terranorbital.com
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SOURCE: Terran Orbital Corporation
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PUB: 05/10/2022 06:00 AM/DISC: 05/10/2022 06:02 AM
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