Talk:CAPSTONE

CLPS?
The CAPSTONE orbiter is clearly meant to inform operations for the Gateway and Artemis missions, but I have not seen a single report stating which NASA program is funding it. I assume it is another mission by the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), but that needs a reference. If so, it would need be added to the list of CLPS flights presented at List of Artemis missions. Cheers, Rowan Forest (talk) 19:12, 10 November 2019 (UTC)


 * According to one of the press releases, CAPSTONE is funded through NASA SBIR Phase 3. Xionbox₪ 00:14, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 20:08, 19 May 2020 (UTC)
 * Capstone Spacecraft.png

Request for images
Would it be possible for someone to add some of the images from the CAPSTONE NASA page into this article? I cannot do it as I have a conflict of interest. Thank you Xionbox₪ 00:16, 11 August 2020 (UTC)

Changing tense
While the launch is still in the future, that is now only 3 months away. This means that all the development is over and the construction of the spacecraft is either near completion or over. So why does it still read as it is years away?Notwisconsin (talk) 13:51, 12 July 2021 (UTC)

CAPSTONE is not really a 12u cubesat.
Many media articles refer to capstone as a 12U CubeSat which is the largest defined CubeSat size but is this correct. ? NASA give the description as "CAPSTONE is a 12-unit CubeSat measuring 34 x 34 x 61 cm and having a total mass of about 25 kg.". Those dimensions equate to a volume of 70.5 litres this is over 5X bigger than a 12U size CubeSat which would only be 20 x 20 x 30 cm. A 12U cubesat is about the size of a shoebox - yet NASA again contradict that describing it as a microwave oven–sized CubeSat even a small microwave oven is much larger than a 12U cubesat.

The Mass of around 25kg is also indicative of it being far bigger than a 12U size CubeSat - NASA give a figure of 1.3kg per unit for a typical cubesat so to have a mass of 25Kg if it were only 12U in size it's density would be over 2kg per lt so unless more than half the spacecrafts volume was composed of solid aluminium it's seems very unlikely that it is only 12U in size. The propellant used is monopropellant hydrazine with a density of only 1kg per lt - which tends to indicate it is far larger than a 12U cubesat.

A further indicator it is not just a CubeSat is that CubeSats are typically launched from a cubesat dispenser as a rideshare flight but CAPSTONE is a dedicated electron launch with a photon kick stage to get CAPSTONE to it's target orbit where it is deployed by a dispenser.

Wikipedia capstone page should indicate the overall size which is larger than a 12U cubesat. CAPSTONE could be best described as a Microsatellite based it's weight of ~25kg fits that classification. The dimensions listed by NASA seem to be the overall CAPSTONE payload dimensions which is the combined satellite and it's dispenser system. CAPSTONE STEPHENHUMBLE (talk) 03:58, 4 July 2022 (UTC)

Terran Orbital the OEM has a press kit which provides diagrams and better description of the satellite - the 12U size looks like the central body of the satellite which has more external appendages greatly increasing it's outer boundary box size to 51 x 33 x 33 cm as per the OEM press kit drawings. This is deployed from what seems to be a modified 12U satellite dispenser which is likely the size given by NASA of 34 x 34 x 61cm. Media Press Kit

Tyvak International a company acquired by Terran Orbital make a 12U size CubeSat bus the TRESTLES 12U which is what CAPSTONE seems to be based on.

What is up with CAPSTONE and it's tumbling problem?
There seems to be a worldwide lack of reliable information about the health of the CAPSTONE mission. The best information I have been able to find (13 days old, from space.com news) is that the tumbling and loss of control from a couple months ago is continuing and perhaps may be able to be overcome (!). Wikipedia, the platinum class information source for the world is strangely quiet. There is news out there, but none that I would bet alot of money on their accuracy or veracity. I'm pretty new here, not feeling it is my place yet to do major additions. Comments anyone??? Dr.gregory.retzlaff (talk) 05:54, 26 September 2022 (UTC)

CAPSTONE Mission: 17 April 2023 Update
Advanced Space web site has the most current update on the CAPSTONE mission: CAPSTONE Mission: 17 April 2023 Update

Perhaps we should update the article? &rarr; StaniStani 08:45, 18 May 2023 (UTC)


 * I updated the top of the article to indicate CAPSTONE survived its initial mission and continues. There's an excellent article at https://spaceref.com/science-and-exploration/capstone-moon-mission-challenges-lessons-learned/ that goes into some detail on what has transpired since the tumbling problems. I thought to update the 'Mission' section with some details from that, but haven't yet. Tergenev (talk) 15:44, 23 May 2023 (UTC)