Author: CislunarSpace

Website: https://cislunarspace.cn

Introduction

This page introduces some major domestic and international engineering projects.

LONEStar Experiment

The LONEStar (Lunar Optical Navigation Experiment Star) experiment is a technology demonstration mission designed to verify the application of autonomous optical navigation in deep space environments. The experiment focuses on developing and applying vision-based navigation algorithms that enable spacecraft to autonomously determine their position and orbit by observing celestial bodies (such as the Earth, Moon, and stars) without relying on ground-based tracking and control.

GRAIL/SMART-1 Missions

GRAIL (Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory) and SMART-1 (Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology-1) are two representative cislunar space missions that demonstrated the practical application of low-energy transfer orbits and fuel optimization technologies, respectively. The GRAIL mission revealed the internal structure of the Moon through precise measurements of the lunar gravity field, while the SMART-1 mission verified the application of electric propulsion technology in deep space exploration.

CAPSTONE Mission

CAPSTONE (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment) is a precursor mission to NASA's Artemis program, designed to verify the dynamical characteristics of the Near-Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO) and test autonomous navigation technology. The mission was launched in 2022 and provides critical technology validation for subsequent Lunar Gateway space station and crewed lunar landing missions.

Artemis Program

The Artemis Program is NASA's next-generation lunar exploration initiative, aimed at achieving sustainable lunar exploration and laying the groundwork for future Mars missions. Named after the Greek goddess of the Moon, the program symbolizes a new era of lunar exploration.