NASA launched Capstone, a 25 kg miniature satellite, to the Moon

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration sent to the Moon the satellite Capstone, which is the size of a microwave oven and weighs 25 kg.

What we know

When the satellite reached a speed of 39,400 km/h, it separated from the Photon block and headed toward the moon on its own. According to calculations NASA, Capstone will reach its orbit on November 13, 2022.

The satellite was launched from a spaceport in New Zealand on June 28, 2022 using an Electron launch vehicle. The mission of Capstone is to help collect data for orbit calculations for the near-lunar station Gateway. It will be located a few thousand kilometers from the Moon. The first modules will be sent into space in autumn 2024.

Source: space.com