As with Rocket Lab's payload deployment today, our CAPSTONE cubesat will benefit from a boost from
"Photon". CAPSTONE will then use its own propulsion system to reach and test a never-before-used lunar orbit. NASA tweeted
The company reports that the universalThe Photon satellite platform was created on the basis of the upper stage of the Electron light rocket. It has its own Curie engine, orientation and communication systems, as well as solar panels for energy generation.
NASA will be the first client for this system with its CAPSTONE apparatus of the CubeSat 12U format.
Much like today's @RocketLab payloaddeployment, our CAPSTONE CubeSat will get a boost from Photon. Then, CAPSTONE will use its own propulsion system to reach and test a never-before-used lunar orbit.
More about the mission launching later this year: https://t.co/5XmLWVEHGO pic.twitter.com/w6Guqx0Yys
— NASA Technology (@NASA_Technology) March 23, 2021
NASA notes that the CAPSTONE installation is currently undergoing external testing to ensure the performance of the spacecraft systems.
The system has an area of approximately 8 squareinches at 4 inches deep. The eight thrusters in this system use hydrazine fuel to provide jet acceleration. Ultra-small, high-performance CAPSTONE engines combine proven NASA technology with state-of-the-art industrial manufacturing techniques.
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