This is not a NASA Website. You might learn something. It's YOUR space agency. Get involved. Take it back. Make it work - for YOU.
Artemis

NASA Reports CAPSTONE Comms Problem (Solved) (Updated)

By Marc Boucher
NASA Watch
July 5, 2022
Filed under
NASA Reports CAPSTONE Comms Problem (Solved) (Updated)

NASA CAPSTONE Mission Experiences Comms Issue
NASA is reporting that communications issue has arisen between the spacecraft and the Deep Space Network.
“In a statement NASA said “Following successful deployment and start of spacecraft commissioning on July 4, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) spacecraft experienced communications issues while in contact with the Deep Space Network.”

Further to the update earlier today, NASA provided another update later in the day:
“NASA’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) experienced communications issues following its deployment on July 4. This is an update on the spacecraft health and efforts to regain contact between CAPSTONE and NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN). ”
“Following CAPSTONE’s initial deployment on July 4, the spacecraft successfully deployed solar arrays, was stabilized, and began charging its onboard battery. CAPSTONE’s propulsion system was also readied for the spacecraft’s first maneuver. CAPSTONE made initial contact with the DSN ground station in Madrid, Spain, followed by a partial contact with the Goldstone ground station in California. From these contacts, mission operators have been able to determine CAPSTONE’s approximate position and velocity in space.”
“As a result of the communications issues, CAPSTONE’s first trajectory correction maneuver – originally scheduled for the morning of July 5 – has been delayed. This maneuver is the first in a series that are designed to make small corrections to increase the accuracy of the transfer orbit to the Moon, and the spacecraft remains on the overall intended ballistic lunar transfer while awaiting this trajectory correction.”
“Teams are working to resolve CAPSTONE’s communications issues.”
Advanced Space – CAPSTONE Mission: 05 July 2022 Update
Update, July 6, 2022
From NASA: “Mission operators have re-established contact with NASA’s Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) spacecraft.”

SpaceRef co-founder, entrepreneur, writer, podcaster, nature lover and deep thinker.

3 responses to “NASA Reports CAPSTONE Comms Problem (Solved) (Updated)”

  1. Chris says:
    0
    0

    Well at least Rocket Lab and it’s engine performed flawlessly.

  2. Chris says:
    0
    0

    Contact reestablished and everything looks fine.

    https://twitter.com/Advance

  3. richard_schumacher says:
    0
    0

    Operator error and a small matter of firmware. Just like back in the day :_>