Learn bits
Science & Tech.
Mahesh

01/07/22 06:30 AM IST

NASA launches microwave oven-sized satellite to pave way for humans to return to the Moon

In News 
  • NASA launched CAPSTONE, a microwave oven-sized CubeSat weighing just 55 pounds (25 kg).
About CAPSTONE 
  • CAPSTONE – Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment, is designed to test a unique, elliptical lunar orbit known as a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) which is significantly elongated, and is located at a precise balance point in the gravities of Earth and the Moon. This offers stability for long-term missions like Gateway.
  • CAPS (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System) is CAPSTONE’s autonomous navigation software
  • If tested successfully, the software will allow future spacecraft to determine their location without having to rely exclusively on Earth-based tracking.
  • For a spacecraft headed to the moon, CAPSTONE is inexpensive, costing just less than $30 million including the launch by Rocket Lab, a US-New Zealand company.
Source- Indian Express 

More Related Current Affairs View All

20 Aug

How should toll collection practices be reformed?

'The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has proposed major changes to toll collection on national highways, including a recommendation to end the practice of perpetual t

Read More

20 Aug

China plans to connect the restive Xinjiang to Tibet

'Recently, China established the Xinjiang-Xizang Railway Co Ltd, which state media described as a “significant step in the development of one of China’s most advanced t

Read More

20 Aug

Nominations to UT Assemblies

'The Union Home Ministry informed the J&K High Court that the Lieutenant Governor can nominate five members to the Assembly without ministerial advice, reviving the debate on n

Read More

India’s First Ai-Driven Magazine Generator

Generate Your Custom Current Affairs Magazine using our AI in just 3 steps