After the ejection of CAPSTONE, NASA was delighted to see the small vehicle of 25 kg on its way to the Moon. But, a few hours later, it is already a question of saving the mission: it has been more than a day since the probe no longer responds to messages from the American agency.
EDITION JULY 6, 6 PM: NASA confirms that it has resumed contact with the CAPSTONE probe and ensures that the vehicle is in good condition.
A difficult start for a “low cost” mission widely promoted.
Encouragement for problems
Rocket Lab teams rejoiced on Monday with the successful ejection of the small CAPSTONE probe en route to the Moon. A total success for them and their “Lunar Photon” vehicle… but the beginning for the NASA teams of a race against time that they didn’t think they had to lead.
Indeed, the first hours were full of promise. CAPSTONE has extended its solar panels, started charging its batteries and made contact with the ground stations of the large American network, the Deep Space Network (DSN), in particular with the Madrid antenna. But the next contact, with the Goldstone station (United States), was interrupted. We are then July 4 in the evening (Paris). And since… nothing, unfortunately.
Hello CAPSTONE, this is Earth
In this annoying scenario, the teams get together and try, with different variations of power and messages, to send instructions to the probe. CAPSTONE, without contact on its end, has normally switched to a “safety mode” during which it points its antenna towards Earth and tries to reach NASA. But there is obviously something wrong…
Nevertheless, we can note some positive points, such as the fact that the American agency, thanks to the first contact, knows exactly where CAPSTONE is located. But it’s a race against time. The small probe was to begin maneuvering on July 5 to prepare for its future insertion into orbit. NASA can afford a little delay, but each passing day will increase the amount of fuel to be used to “catch up” on the correct trajectory… We still have to reestablish contact.
Few options on the table
A long interruption of communications is not a good omen, and it is even possible that this difficulty will cost CAPSTONE the whole mission. If so, NASA would have several options before it, in addition to launching an investigation to find out what happened.
She could order a “bis mission”, if she absolutely wanted to test the specific “NRHO” orbit, the main objective of CAPSTONE. Or try to use Rocket Lab’s “Lunar Photon” stage, in which there is still a significant margin of fuel, even though it was not designed for that.
Either way, for what was billed as the first small mission of the entire Artemis program, it’s not a stellar start. This is nevertheless part of the risks of this kind of adventure. Some will not forget to point out that the daring choice of a tiny 40 x 30 cm and 25 kg vehicle for this mission is also riskier than a “traditional” probe.
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That’s it, the small CAPSTONE probe is heading alone towards the Moon!
Source : AdvancedSpace
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