Shortly after yesterday's successful deployment, the probe stopped communicating with ground controllers. The space agency is trying to reestablish contact with the satellite.
On June 28 of this year, CAPSTONE was launched on a rocket. On Monday, the 55 pound cubesat escaped Earth's low altitude and began its journey to the moon. There is a chance that the probe will enter into a near rectilinear halo around the Moon.
The Deep Space Network experienced communication issues shortly after the satellite set course towards the moon. The mission team is trying to understand the cause of the satellite's silence and reestablish contact with it, according to NASA.
Since its launch, CAPSTONE has completed a number of maneuvers. The rocket's upper stage fired its engines seven times to get the satellite to a maximum distance from Earth. CAPSTONE was sent on a lunar transfer trajectory to the moon. The amount of fuel needed to get to the Moon will be reduced due to the gravity driven trajectory.
Without the help of mission control, CAPSTONE can't pull off its own stunts. NASA stated that the craft has enough fuel to delay the maneuver for a few days.
The planned lunar gateway is a small space station that will allow for a sustained human presence on the moon. This is part of NASA's plan to return humans to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. Despite a few issues from the wet dress rehearsal, the space agency is still preparing for the first mission of the lunar program.
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