Categories: Wire Stories

�Terran Orbital Developed CAPSTONE Heads to the Moon

The satellite will create a new path to the Moon as part of NASA’s historic Artemis program

BOCA RATON, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–$LLAP #TerranOrbital–Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, today announced the successful launch of the CAPSTONE satellite. The Terran Orbital designed and built Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, otherwise known as CAPSTONE, launched this morning at 9:55 UTC / 5:55 a.m. EDT / 2:55 a.m. PDT aboard Rocket Lab’s Lunar Photon spacecraft bus on an Electron launch vehicle from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in M?hia, New Zealand. CAPSTONE is owned and operated by Advanced Space on behalf of NASA.


CAPSTONE is a lunar orbiter reducing the risk for future spacecraft by verifying the dynamics of the orbit planned for NASA’s Gateway space station. As a pathfinder, CAPSTONE is the first satellite to demonstrate operations of a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) around the Moon. Until now this demonstration would be impossible for a 12U form factor such as CAPSTONE – but a radio tower antenna combined with a low-energy “ballistic lunar transfer” broadens the satellite’s capability and reach. The mission also creates infrastructure reducing the reliance on communications from Earth-based fixed tracking assets for navigation and operations support – technology that will be critical as space becomes more congested.

“Terran Orbital would like to thank Rocket Lab for a perfect launch,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “We would also like to thank NASA and Advanced Space for giving us the opportunity to be part of this mission. The path CAPSTONE is paving to the moon will be used by countless future generations. Terran Orbital is proud to have designed, built, and integrated the spacecraft for this historic pathfinding mission and we look forward to running operations throughout CAPSTONE’s journey.”

The Terran Orbital Mission Operations Team is currently preparing for the deployment and initial acquisition of the CAPSTONE spacecraft. In the final days between launch and deployment into the lunar insertion trajectory, the Terran Orbital Mission Operators will complete final rehearsals, practice commissioning scenarios, and fine-tune fault detection and response scenarios.

Click here to watch a replay of the launch.

About Terran Orbital

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of small satellites primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

Contacts

Virginia Norder

pr@terranorbital.com
949-508-6404

Alex

Recent Posts

Hong Kong High Court Convicts Lai Chee-Ying of Collusion to Endanger National Security

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 December 2025 - The Court of…

6 hours ago

Red Bull Malaysia Renews Partnership With 31 Racing, Maju Motor And CKJ Racing As 2025 PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub Prix Championship Concludes

Red Bull Malaysia celebrates the teams' outstanding performance at the 2025 PETRONAS MAM Malaysian Cub…

6 hours ago

“When We March Together”: Youth, Music, and the Future of China–US Relations

BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 December 2025 - CGTN will release its…

9 hours ago

VinFast officially inaugurates electric vehicle plant in Subang, Indonesia

SUBANG, INDONESIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 December 2025 - VinFast officially inaugurated its…

9 hours ago

Fast Track Events and CloudX Entertainment Announce Strategic Partnership to Expand Celebrity and Influencer Amplification for Brands

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 December 2025 - Fast Track Events (FTE), a…

12 hours ago

Green GSM officially launches all-electric taxi service in Davao

DAVAO, PHILIPPINES - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 December 2025 - Green GSM has launched…

12 hours ago