New Small Spacecraft Technology Demonstration Mission at the Moon

NASA has awarded a contract to Advanced Space for the CAPSTONE 02 mission, scheduled for launch in 2027, to demonstrate rendezvous, proximity operations, and autonomous navigation in cislunar space. The mission will use two small spacecraft to validate techniques for safe crew transfers between lunar landers and orbiting vehicles, addressing challenges unique to the Moon’s gravitational environment. These operations are designed to inform future Artemis and Moon Base infrastructure development.

The mission builds on the original CAPSTONE, which became the first U.S. commercial spacecraft to operate in a near rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon. CAPSTONE 02 will expand these capabilities by testing advanced relative navigation technologies, including three-body orbit maneuvers influenced by Earth and Moon gravities. Ground tracking, optical sensors, and celestial navigation will support these demonstrations, ensuring readiness for crewed lunar missions.

CAPSTONE 02 will carry two identical spacecraft, each weighing approximately 400 kilograms, built by Terran Orbital Systems. The mission will conduct formation flying and loitering exercises to study spacecraft trajectories under lunar conditions. It will also test NASA-developed navigation software suites during a low-energy transfer trajectory from Earth to lunar orbit, collecting critical data for future exploration.

The mission serves as an operational testbed for technologies including the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System, reducing reliance on Earth-based tracking. Funded by NASA’s Human Spaceflight Mission Directorate and managed by Ames Research Center, CAPSTONE 02 aims to mature cislunar infrastructure and support commercial services for Artemis and Moon Base initiatives.