NASA's CAPSTONE cubesat launch to the moon delayed again for systems checks - Space.com

The small CAPSTONE moon cubesat's next launch opportunity is Tuesday, June 28, NASA says.

NASA has called off plans to launch a small cubesat to the moon on Monday (June 27) to allow more time to check its Rocket Lab booster for flight. .

space agency announced today that it was no longer targeting a Monday launch for the new CAPSTONE cubesat to the moon on an Electron booster built by Rocket Lab.

The mission, led by the company Advanced Space, was scheduled to launch from a pad on Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand at 6 a.m.

"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 anytime before July 27 and still ensure the cubesat reaches the moon on Nov.

The mission has been delayed repeatedly since 2021, first due to COVID-19 pandemic-related issues and later due to the need for more checks on the cubesat and its Rocket Lab booster.

Under the mission, CAPSTONE will launch on a Rocket Lab Electron booster and use the company's Photon stage to help make its way to the moon.

If all goes well, CAPSTONE will separate from its Photon ride six days after launch and slowly make its way to the moon over about four months.