NASA has lost contact with a satellite sent into space to pave the way for the next Moon landing. The Capstone probe launched successfully on June 28, but its state is now unknown.
The satellite weighs 55 pounds and broke free from the Earth's orbit as planned. It was also following the correct course to reach the Moon's orbit by the middle of November before contact broke off.
The Mirror reports that the problem appeared to be with Capstone and not the Deep Space Network. The latter are the antennae NASA is using to make contact with the satellite.
NASA said in a statement: "Following successful deployment and start of spacecraft commissioning on July 4, the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (Capstone) spacecraft experienced communications issues while in contact with the Deep Space Network. The spacecraft team currently is working to understand the cause and re-establish contact.
"The team has good trajectory data for the spacecraft based on the first full and second partial ground station pass with the Deep Space Network. If needed, the mission has enough fuel to delay the initial post separation trajectory correction manoeuvre for several days."
Further updates will be provided "as soon as possible", NASA added. The agency previously said the project’s main advantages were its minimal fuel use and ability to stay in constant contact with Earth.
Capstone launched on an Electron rocket built by the Rocket Lab company. The aim is for a space station to follow the satellite's path - from there astronauts can travel to the Moon as part of the Artemis programme.
