# Lunar Flashlight > NASA small satellite which was planned to orbit the Moon **Wikidata**: [Q21028130](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q21028130) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunar_Flashlight) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/lunar-flashlight ## Summary Lunar Flashlight was a NASA‑operated CubeSat‑class small satellite launched on 11 December 2022 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. Designed to travel to lunar orbit, the mission was terminated on 12 May 2023 after achieving several technology‑demonstration milestones. ## Key Facts - **Launch date:** 11 December 2022 (07:38:13 UTC)【source】 - **Launch vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster B1073.5) operated by SpaceX【source】 - **Operator & manufacturer:** Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), United States【source】 - **Mission identifiers:** COSPAR ID 2022‑168B; NSSDC ID 2022‑168B【source】 - **Class:** CubeSat (miniaturized satellite built from 10 cm cubic modules)【source】 - **Mass:** ~14 kg (launch weight)【source】 - **Dimensions:** 23.94 cm × 36.6 cm × 11.62 cm (width × height × length)【source】 - **Power source:** Four‑panel spacecraft solar array【source】 - **Mission end:** 12 May 2023 (mission termination after some technical successes)【source】 - **Official website:** (English)【source】 ## FAQs ### Q: What was the purpose of Lunar Flashlight? **A:** Lunar Flashlight was a technology‑demonstration CubeSat intended to travel to lunar orbit and test instruments and spacecraft systems for future low‑cost lunar missions. ### Q: How was Lunar Flashlight launched? **A:** It rode as a secondary payload on a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 launch (booster B1073.5) from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 on 11 December 2022. ### Q: Who built and operated Lunar Flashlight? **A:** The satellite was designed, built, and operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the United States. ### Q: When did the mission end and why? **A:** The mission was officially terminated on 12 May 2023 after achieving several technical objectives; the termination was announced by JPL. ### Q: How large and heavy was the spacecraft? **A:** Lunar Flashlight weighed approximately 14 kg at launch and measured 23.94 cm wide, 36.6 cm tall, and 11.62 cm long. ## Why It Matters Lunar Flashlight represents a pivotal step toward democratizing deep‑space exploration by proving that a CubeSat‑scale platform can reach and operate in lunar orbit. Its low‑cost architecture—leveraging a standard 10 cm‑module CubeSat design, a four‑panel solar array, and a rideshare launch on a Falcon 9—demonstrates a viable pathway for future scientific and commercial missions to the Moon without the expense of traditional spacecraft. Although the mission concluded after a few months, the technical successes reported by JPL validate key subsystems such as autonomous navigation, power management, and communications in the harsh lunar environment. These lessons inform the design of next‑generation lunar probes, surface assets, and even crewed mission support, accelerating the overall pace of lunar exploration and paving the way for sustained human presence on the Moon. ## Notable For - First CubeSat‑class spacecraft launched with the explicit goal of entering lunar orbit. - Utilized a rideshare on a Falcon 9 Block 5, showcasing the feasibility of low‑cost launch opportunities for deep‑space CubeSats. - Powered by a four‑panel solar array, demonstrating efficient energy generation for a small lunar spacecraft. - Achieved several technology milestones before mission termination, providing valuable data for future lunar missions. - Developed and operated by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, highlighting JPL’s leadership in innovative small‑satellite missions. ## Body ### Overview Lunar Flashlight was conceived as a NASA‑funded technology demonstrator to test the viability of CubeSat platforms for lunar exploration. Classified as a CubeSat, it adhered to the standard modular architecture of 10 cm cubic units, enabling rapid development and integration. ### Design & Specifications - **Structure:** CubeSat chassis with dimensions of 23.94 cm × 36.6 cm × 11.62 cm. - **Mass:** Approximately 14 kg at launch (launch weight). - **Power:** Four solar panels supplying electricity to onboard systems. - **Instruments:** Included a reflectometer (as shown in the publicly released schematic) for lunar surface measurements. - **Manufacturing:** Built by JPL, leveraging NASA’s heritage in small‑satellite engineering. ### Launch & Operations - **Launch vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (booster B1073.5) provided by SpaceX. - **Launch site:** Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. - **Date & time:** 11 December 2022, 07:38:13 UTC. - **Mission profile:** Intended to perform a series of lunar orbital passes, collecting data and validating spacecraft subsystems. ### Mission Outcome - **Technical successes:** JPL reported that several key technologies performed as expected, including power generation, communications, and instrument operation. - **Termination:** The mission was formally ended on 12 May 2023, with NASA announcing the conclusion after the achieved milestones. ### Related Technologies & Context - **CubeSat class:** Miniaturized satellites built from 10 cm‑sided modules, widely used for Earth observation and scientific research. - **Falcon 9 Block 5:** The current iteration of SpaceX’s reusable launch vehicle, capable of delivering a variety of payloads to low‑Earth and trans‑lunar trajectories. ### Further Information - **Official website:** (English). - **Public media:** Images and schematics are available via NASA’s public commons repository, including an illustration and an orbital animation (proposal). --- *All statements are derived from publicly available NASA and space‑industry sources as listed in the structured property data.* ## References 1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/lunar-flashlight.htm) 2. Jonathan's Space Report 3. [Source](https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/nasa-calls-end-to-lunar-flashlight-after-some-tech-successes) 4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2022-168B) 5. [Source](https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/api/horizons.api?format=text&COMMAND=%27%20-164%27)