Rocket Lab launched a small spacecraft bound for the moon from its New Zealand facility early Tuesday, a mission that represents firsts for both the company and NASA.
Currently in orbit around the Earth, Photon will next fire its engine multiple times over the coming days before sending the CAPSTONE spacecraft on a trajectory that will take about four months to reach the moon.
In addition to Rocket Lab's Electron rocket and Photon spacecraft, Colorado-based Advanced Space developed and will operate CAPSTONE, while two California companies built the small spacecraft and provided its propulsion system — Terran Orbital and Stellar Exploration, respectively.