Satellite launched by Rocket Lab makes it to Moon orbit

A satellite that Rocket Lab launched for Nasa has arrived in orbit around the Moon after a couple of scares during its 41⁄ 2- month voyage. The Capstone satellite, designed to test an orbit that may be later used for a Nasa space station, was launched from Rocket Lab’s base near Gisborne in June and was carried partway to the Moon by its Photon spacecraft. Rocket Lab’s role in the mission ended in July, but chief executive Peter Beck said it had been ‘‘watching with bated breath’’ as Capstone drew closer to its lunar orbit. Nasa briefly lost contact with the satellite in July after it had separated from the Photon spacecraft and the satellite spent part of its journey in an uncontrolled tumble in early September.