Rocket Lab CAPSTONE Electron
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Weather Forecast During Launch
According to weather officials, there's a 75% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch.
Rocket Launch Trajectory & Flight Path
Track the complete rocket launch trajectory with real-time flight data from FlightClub.io (opens in a new tab). View detailed telemetry including rocket velocity, altitude progression, thrust levels, acceleration, orbital insertion parameters, and 3D flight path visualization throughout all mission phases from liftoff to orbit.
Learn about rocket launch trajectory physics (opens in a new tab)
About the CAPSTONE Mission
| Type | Planetary Science |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Lunar Orbit |
| Launch Cost | $6,000,000 |
CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) is a 12-U cubesat mission to test operations in near rectiliniar halo orbit around the Moon, which is to be used for the Lunar Gateway space station. Mission will verify the near rectilinear halo orbit characteristics, spacecraft-to-spacecraft navigation services in that orbit, and provide valuable experience of small sat launch to the Moon.
Launch Pad & Location
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
| Launches | 36 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 36 |
| Total Launches | 76 |
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company's Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
Rocket Lab Electron Rocket
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
| Length | 18.0 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 1.2 m |
| Stages | 2-3 |
| Launch Mass | 13.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 162.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 300 kg |
| SSO Capacity | 225 kg |
| Launch Cost | $6,000,000 |
| Maiden Flight | 5/25/2017 |
Booster Landing & Recovery
Core 27
| Serial Number | 27 |
|---|---|
| Last Flight | 06/28/2022 |
Booster used during the NASA Capstone mission.
Booster features the NASA Worm logo and was flown without onboard cameras to save weight. Booster expended during its first flight.
South Pacific - PAC
Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.
Expended - EXP
Vehicle did not perform any landing operations after launch
Track the booster recovery and droneship return to port (opens in a new tab)
About Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
| Total Launches | 88 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 84 |
| Failed | 4 |
| Pending | 42 |
| Consecutive Success | 47 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch scheduled?
The Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch was scheduled for:
.
Where can I watch the Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch video?
You can watch the Rocket Lab Electron launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE mission launch from?
The Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand. Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company's Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
What rocket was used for the CAPSTONE mission?
The CAPSTONE mission launched aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket. Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the Rocket Lab Electron booster for CAPSTONE attempt a landing?
Yes, the Electron first stage booster attempted a Expended at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows Rocket Lab to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch?
The Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Rocket Lab Electron CAPSTONE launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Rocket Lab Electron launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the CAPSTONE mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Rocket Lab live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
Last Updated
Last Updated:
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Successful Electron launch. Photon's HyperCurie engine will perform apogee raising burns around every 24 hours for five days, before a final burn on the sixth day to set CAPSTONE on a trans lunar injection
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Liftoff
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Webcast live
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Weather 75%
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Adjusting T-0
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NET June 28
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Updating T-0
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NET June 27
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Adding T-0 and setting GO
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NET June 25
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No longer targeting June 13. Reverting to TBD June.
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T-0 confirmed
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NET June 13 to allow additional time for final prelaunch checks
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Adding T-0
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NET June 6th
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NET May 31st
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NET May 27
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NET Spring
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Launch is NET March 2022.
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Launch now NET early 2022
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Launch pad changed from Rocket Lab's launch site in Wallops, Virginia to the one in New Zealand.