| Mission type | Technology demonstration |
|---|---|
| Operator | Cornell University |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Cislunar Explorers |
| Spacecraft type | CubeSat |
| Bus | 6UCubeSat |
| Manufacturer | Cornell University |
| Launch mass | 14 kg (31 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | NET Unknown (planned)[1] |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Selenocentric orbit |
| Moon orbiter | |
| Instruments | |
| Commercial cameras | |
NASA CubeQuest Challenge | |
Cislunar Explorers is a pair of spacecraft that will show the viability ofwater electrolysis propulsion and interplanetary optical navigation to orbit theMoon.[2] Both spacecraft will launch mated together as two L-shaped 3U CubeSats, which fit together as a 6UCubeSat of about 10 cm × 20 cm × 30 cm.
The technology demonstrator spacecraft pair is being developed atCornell University inNew York, by a team of researchers, graduate students, and undergraduates.[3] The spacecraft were originally intended to launch onboard theArtemis 1 mission into aheliocentric orbit incislunar space in 2022; delays caused by difficulties during integration led to their removal from the Artemis 1 manifest; a new launch provider has not yet been chosen.[1][4]
The two spacecraft feature an unusualwater electrolysis propulsion system that splits the bond betweenhydrogen andoxygen, producing combustible gaseous mixture that can be used as engine propellant.[5] Thispropulsion system will be used to enter lunar orbit. The mission designers comment that if this water-based propulsion technology is successful, it may enablein situ resources for refueling landers for commercial or science purposes.[5] Such a spacecraft could refuel at space-bound water sources, like asteroids, instead of bringing all the needed fuel along with it fromEarth.[6][7]
Since the purpose of theCislunar Explorers is to test a novel propulsion system, they will simply be injected in "any lunar orbit" and maintain it for as long as possible.Cislunar Explorers will navigate completely autonomously, with minimal control from Earth.Cislunar Explorers will each use commercial cameras that enable them to view the Earth, the Moon, and theSun. By computing the sizes of each of these objects and their locations relative to one another, the two spacecraft will deduce their locations.[6][8]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.