NASA is planning to send two maneuverable probes to lunar orbit in 2027 under the CAPSTONE 02 mission to study how spacecraft navigate complex gravitational environments in cislunar space. According to an agency statement, the twin probes will fly in formation and alternate between “chaser” and “target” roles to test communication, navigation, and three-body orbit dynamics critical for future Artemis lunar exploration.
Understanding Cislunar Space and Three-Body Orbits
Spacecraft operating in cislunar space experience the simultaneous gravitational pulls of both Earth and the moon. Because of this complex tug-of-war, vehicles must navigate what engineers call “three-body orbits,” according to NASA. Ground teams cannot fully recreate these gravitational conditions on Earth, making in-space testing essential for future crewed missions.
During the upcoming mission, Terran Orbital Systems, Inc.-built probes will fly in close proximity and alternate jobs in formation. The spacecraft pair will rely on a combination of celestial navigation, optical sensors, and data collected by telescopes on the ground to execute their maneuvers, according to mission planners.
Laying the Foundation for Artemis Rendezvous Operations
Data gathered by CAPSTONE 02 will directly inform upcoming operations for the Artemis program. According to NASA, transporting crews to the lunar surface from cislunar orbit relies on knowing precisely how well navigation systems perform during close-approach maneuvers.
On the planned Artemis III mission, currently scheduled for 2027, NASA will test these exact rendezvous techniques in flight. Orion will meet up with both Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander and SpaceX’s Starship, if all goes according to plan, utilizing data collection methods similar to those tested by the CAPSTONE probes.
Did you know? The first CAPSTONE probe launched in 2022 and operated for four years before officially concluding its mission in June 2026. That microwave-oven-sized spacecraft became the first to test a near rectilinear halo orbit around the moon, a stable path created by the balanced gravity of Earth and the moon.
Preparing for Commercial Lunar Infrastructure
“This mission represents an important step in the maturation of cislunar capabilities,” said NASA’s Sean Fuller, Moon Base CAPSTONE manager, in an agency statement. Fuller noted that the flight lays the groundwork for commercial services and infrastructure supporting future deep space exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the CAPSTONE 02 mission scheduled to launch?
CAPSTONE 02 is currently aiming to launch in 2027, according to NASA.
Who is building the CAPSTONE 02 probes?
The two probes for the mission are being built by Terran Orbital Systems, Inc., according to agency disclosures.
What is a three-body orbit?
It is an orbital path influenced by the gravitational pulls of two major celestial bodies—in this case, Earth and the moon.
How does CAPSTONE 02 connect to the Artemis program?
The mission tests navigation, communication, and rendezvous techniques that Orion and commercial lunar landers will use during Artemis missions.
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