IRVINE, Calif. – July 2026 – Terran Orbital, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin and a leading manufacturer of satellite solutions, has been selected to provide the spacecraft platform, mission operations, and launch integration support for CAPSTONE 02, a new NASA-sponsored mission led by Advanced Space that will further advance autonomous spacecraft operations in cislunar space. The mission is targeted for launch in 2027.
Building on the success of the original CAPSTONE mission, CAPSTONE 02 will deploy two spacecraft to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), cislunar navigation, and advanced communications technologies in the complex gravitational environment between the Earth and the Moon. These capabilities will help enable the next generation of lunar exploration, supporting NASA’s Artemis campaign and future Moon Base infrastructure.
Terran Orbital will deliver the spacecraft buses that serve as the foundation of the mission while also providing mission operations and launch integration services. The mission represents another significant step in the company’s expanding portfolio of lunar and deep-space programs, reinforcing its position as a trusted provider of spacecraft for the most demanding exploration missions.
“CAPSTONE demonstrated that small spacecraft can play a transformative role in enabling deep-space exploration,” said Peter Krauss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital. “We’re proud to build on that legacy with CAPSTONE 02. As NASA prepares for sustained operations around the Moon, Terran Orbital is providing the reliable spacecraft platforms that will help validate the technologies needed for autonomous navigation, spacecraft cooperation, and future cislunar infrastructure.”
CAPSTONE 02 leverages the extensive operational knowledge gained from the original CAPSTONE mission, which became the first commercially owned and operated spacecraft to successfully orbit the Moon. During nearly four years of operations, CAPSTONE exceeded its original mission objectives by demonstrating autonomous navigation technologies, validating Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) operations, and supporting critical technology demonstrations for NASA’s Artemis program.
The new mission expands on those achievements by introducing two cooperating spacecraft capable of performing autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations in multibody cislunar orbits. These demonstrations are expected to mature technologies essential for future lunar logistics, satellite servicing, orbital infrastructure, and long-duration operations in the Earth-Moon system.
Beyond the spacecraft platforms, CAPSTONE 02 will bring together an industry and government team to demonstrate advanced propulsion, optical sensing, radiation monitoring, and next-generation navigation software. The mission reflects NASA’s continued strategy of partnering with commercial industry to accelerate innovation while reducing risk for future exploration missions.
CAPSTONE 02 represents another milestone in Terran Orbital’s commitment to advancing commercial and government missions beyond Earth orbit. By combining proven spacecraft technology with innovative mission architectures, the company continues to help shape the future of exploration in cislunar space and beyond.
