The dangers of this abnormality and recovery procedure were considerable, and the group worked extensively and collaboratively to alleviate these risks. Over the coming days, the group will continue to keep track of the spacecrafts status and make any needed modifications to procedures in order to represent and mitigate the results of the partly open thruster valve. In order to lower threat for future maneuvers, the objective group likewise will aim to develop possible repairs for this valve-related concern.
CAPSTONE stays on track to place into its targeted near rectilinear halo orbit at the Moon on November 13.
CAPSTONE– brief for Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment– is owned by Advanced Space on behalf of NASA. The spacecraft was designed and built by Terran Orbital. Operations are carried out jointly by groups at Advanced Space and Terran Orbital.
Check out the complete update from Advanced Space. Additional updates will be offered, as readily available.
Following a planned trajectory correction maneuver on September 8, CAPSTONE suffered a problem that put the spacecraft in safe mode. According to information from the spacecraft, the most likely cause was a valve-related issue in one of the spacecrafts eight thrusters. After thoroughly reviewing telemetry and simulation information, the objective team performed numerous tests on the spacecraft in order to formulate a plan to stop the spacecrafts spin regardless of this problem.
It appears that the maneuver was successful, according to initial telemetry from CAPSTONE and observation data, which suggest the spacecraft has actually stopped its spin and restored full 3-axis attitude control.
The Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, or CAPSTONE, is a CubeSat that will fly an unique orbit around the Moon meant for NASAs future Artemis lunar outpost Gateway. Its six-month objective will help launch a brand-new age of deep area expedition. Credit: NASA Ames Research Center
On Friday, October 7, CAPSTONE team members successfully carried out an operation to stop the spacecrafts spin. This clears a major obstacle in returning the spacecraft to normal operations.
According to data from the spacecraft, the most likely cause was a valve-related problem in one of the spacecrafts eight thrusters. After extensively reviewing telemetry and simulation data, the objective group conducted several tests on the spacecraft in order to create a plan to stop the spacecrafts spin in spite of this concern.
It appears that the maneuver was effective, according to preliminary telemetry from CAPSTONE and observation information, which suggest the spacecraft has actually stopped its spin and restored full 3-axis attitude control. CAPSTONE has now oriented its solar selections to the Sun to optimize power generation.
