Plans to launch a small cubesat to the moon on Monday have been called off due to more time needed to check the booster.
A Monday launch for the new CAPSTONE cubesat to the moon is no longer being planned, according to the U.S. space agency. The launch was scheduled to take place at 6 a.m. on the New Zealand side of the ocean. On Monday
"NASA, Rocket Lab and Advanced Space are standing down from the June 27 launch attempt for the CAPSTONE mission to the moon to allow Rocket Lab to perform final systems checks," NASA officials wrote in a June 26 update (opens in new tab). "Teams are evaluating weather and other factors to determine the date of the next launch attempt."
Related: NASA's CAPSTONE moon mission to go where no cubesat has gone before
The next possible launch date for the microwave oven-sized CAPSTONE is Tuesday, June 28, but NASA and its partners could launch the mission before July 27 and still ensure the cubesat reaches the moon in November. The mission has been delayed several times due to the need for more checks on the cubesat and its rocket lab booster.
A new path around the moon called a near recti linear halo is being tested by CAPSTONE. NASA hopes to use the same elliptical path around the moon as part of its planned Gateway space station for astronauts.
CAPSTONE will launch on a rocket and use a stage from the company to get to the moon. It is the first deep-space mission for the company.
After six days after launch, CAPSTONE will separate from its ride and begin its journey to the moon. The $30 million mission is expected to take at least six months to complete. It will fly as close as 1,000 miles to the moon and as far away as 67,000 miles.
The next launch opportunity will take place on June 28, according to the update. Regardless of the launch date within the current period, launch opportunities are available every day through July 27.
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