CAPSTONE 2

CAPSTONE 2
NamesCislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment 2
Mission typeTechnology demonstration
OperatorAdvanced Space
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftCAPSTONE 2
Launch mass2x ~400 kg (880 lb)
Moon orbiter
OrbitsNear-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO)
CAPSTONE

CAPSTONE 2 is a planned NASA mission to lunar orbit designed as a followup to CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) that was designed to test the orbital stability for the now cancelled Lunar Gateway. Despite Gateway's cancellation on May 2, 2025, in favor of the Artemis Base Camp on the lunar surface, CAPSTONE 2 was announced on June 24, 2026. CAPSTONE 2 is currently scheduled to launch in 2027.

Background

CAPSTONE became the first U.S. commercial mission to the Moon and the first spacecraft to operate in a near rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon in June 2022. CAPSTONE was a 12U cubesat that saw an extended mission until July 6, 2026, testing a series of novel communication and navigation networks. These included expanding NASA's SCaN to lunar orbit by using itself as a relay as well as more traditional methods such as an onboard star tracker and optical navigation of the lunar surface.

Development

CAPSTONE 2's stated mission is to demonstrate advanced relative navigation technologies for rendezvous and proximity operations in cislunar space. The mission will consist of two identical spacecraft approximately 400 kilograms combined to be built by Terran Orbital (subsidiary of Lockheed Martin) and operated by Advanced Space. The craft will take a long, low energy, transfer orbit to the moon during which it will also study navigation in high earth orbit. Once in position the two craft will perform loitering and formation flying tests with each craft being able to freely switch between "chaser" and "target". The crafts will also carry various NASA instruments to test their software in flight as well as scientific experiments. This notably includes an optical imaging payload from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Despite the cancellation of Lunar Gateway, rendezvous and proximity operation experience will still need to be established ahead of Artemis IV, Artemis V, and future missions to construct Artemis Base Camp. CAPSTONE 2 completed its critical design review on August 25, 2026. NASA expects CAPSTONE 02 to cost just under $100 million, not including launch.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Advanced Space Completes Critical Design Review Milestone for CAPSTONE 02". advancedspace.com. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hall, Loura. "NASA Announces New Spacecraft Technology Demonstration Mission at Moon". NASA. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 Powers, Korine. "NASA's CAPSTONE Completes Extended Mission Testing Lunar Technologies". NASA. Retrieved 27 October 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Foust, Jeff. "NASA, Advanced Space team up for CAPSTONE follow-on mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 27 October 2026.