Capstone lifts off! NASA launches microwave-sized spacecraft into orbit around the MOON in first step of its Artemis mission — — to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time in 50 years

(Daily Mail) NASA finally launched its ‘CAPSTONE’ spacecraft on Tuesday morning, marking an important early stage in its Artemis space programme.

The craft, which is about the size of a microwave oven and weighs just 55 pounds, blasted off from Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand at 10:55 BST (21:55 local time).

Over six months, it will test the stability of a halo-shaped orbit around the moon before this orbit is used by Lunar Gateway, NASA’s planned lunar outpost.
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