[ad_1]
CAPSTONE in orbit close to the Moon: As soon as launched from Rocket Lab’s Photon satellite tv for pc bus, CAPSTONE will use its propulsion system to journey for about three months earlier than getting into into orbit across the Moon. Credit score: Illustration by NASA/Daniel Rutter
On the night of September 8, the CAPSTONE spacecraft executed a deliberate trajectory correction maneuver. Close to the tip of that maneuver a difficulty occurred that put CAPSTONE into secure mode. Subsequently, navigation knowledge revealed that the spacecraft was tumbling and mission controllers found that the onboard laptop programs had been periodically resetting. Preliminary restoration efforts centered on bettering solar energy and heating of the propulsion system to restore temperatures to above the operational restrict.
Over the previous week, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Know-how Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) spacecraft was capable of enhance thermal circumstances for the propellant and different crucial programs whereas sustaining optimistic energy technology. In preparation for an try and cease CAPSTONE’s spin, the operations crew has been performing floor and spacecraft testing. When preparations and testing are completed, this operation—which might restore the spacecraft to regular operation standing—will probably be tried.
Updates will probably be offered as they turn out to be out there.
[ad_2]
