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CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) is a 12-U cubesat mission to test operations in near rectiliniar halo orbit around the Moon, which is to be used for the Lunar Gateway space station. Mission will verify the near rectilinear halo orbit characteristics, spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation services in that orbit, and provide valuable experience of small sat launch to the Moon.
Mission Type | Planetary Science |
Orbit | Lunar Orbit |
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage.
Manufacturer | Rocket Lab Ltd |
Thrust | 162kN |
Length | 18m |
Diameter | 1.2m |
LEO Capacity | 300kg |
GTO Capacity | Unknown |
Launch Cost | $6m |
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. Electron currently launches from only Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand however a second launch complex in the US is under development.
Type | Commercial |
Administrator | CEO: Peter Beck |
Launch Vehicles | Electron |
Spacecraft | None |
Location | Onenui Station, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand |
Total Launches | 1 |
Links | Wikipedia | Map |