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IRVINE, Calif. – July 1, 2025 – CAPSTONE™ (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment), owned and operated by Advanced Space, proudly celebrates its three-year anniversary. Serving as a critical pathfinder for NASA’s Gateway and playing an essential role in the Artemis program, CAPSTONE™ has far exceeded its original mission parameters. Initially slated to orbit for six months, the mission’s success has extended its operation into an “enhanced” mission mode.
As Advanced Space’s manufacturing partner, Terran Orbital has been instrumental in drafting and executing the hardware for CAPSTONE™. Our expertise includes designing, fabricating, and focusing on the integration and testing of the final space vehicle.
The CAPSTONE™ spacecraft has successfully demonstrated several key technologies for lunar navigation and autonomy, including:
• First spacecraft to fly in NRHO (Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit), validating orbital stability for future crewed missions.
• First CubeSat to orbit the Moon.
• Demonstrated autonomous navigation software in deep space (CAPS).
• Delivered on a rapid timeline from contract award to launch in under two years.
• Extended its mission with NASA.
• Demonstrated the first of its kind artificial intelligence/machine learning software
Together, Advanced Space and Terran Orbital celebrate the remarkable achievements of the CAPSTONE™ spacecraft. Brad Cheetham, CEO and President at Advanced Space, remarked, “Three years ago, we embarked on an extraordinary journey with the launch of CAPSTONE™, in partnership with Terran Orbital, our launch and other key industry partners. Today, we celebrate not just a mission, but a milestone in our quest for the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space. Over the past three years, CAPSTONE™ has achieved a technological milestone as a continuous critical testbed for our customers. It has accelerated our knowledge, and technical capabilities, venturing in AI in space among other applications, in addition to positioning us at the forefront of the cislunar environment. The exceptional team at Terran Orbital has built a system that has demonstrated remarkable resilience and reliability. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”
Peter Krauss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital, added, “Our partnership with Advanced Space on the CAPSTONE™ mission has been a remarkable journey. The technological milestones achieved by CAPSTONE™ underscore our commitment to advancing space exploration and delivering exceptional hardware solutions.”
Awards and Recognition:
• NASA Group Achievement Award (2023) – for excellence in innovation and execution.
• AIAA Small Satellite Mission of the Year (2023)
• R&D 100 Award Finalist – Recognizing world-changing technology.
As CAPSTONE™ continues its enhanced mission, Advanced Space and Terran Orbital look forward to further expanding the boundaries of space exploration and contributing to the success of future lunar missions.
About Advanced Space:
Advanced Space supports the sustainable exploration, development, and settlement of space. They specialize in mission planning, operations, and technology development for lunar and deep space missions.
Advanced Space Media Inquiries:
Yasmine Almond
yasmine.almond@advancedspace.com
About Terran Orbital:
Terran Orbital, a Lockheed Martin Company, is a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, providing end-to-end mission services for commercial, civil, and government customers. Terran Orbital specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced satellite systems, leveraging cutting-edge technologies that support critical missions around the world.
For more information, visit www.terranorbital.com or follow us on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.
Terran Orbital Media Inquiries:
Terie McHale
pr@terranorbital.com
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