NASA: Contact lost with spacecraft on way to test moon orbit

WASHINGTON (AP) — NASA says contact has been lost with a spacecraft headed to the moon to test out a lopsided lunar orbit. The satellite was launched last week from New Zealand and on Monday left Earth’s orbit, on its way to the moon. NASA announced the problem Tuesday and said the spacecraft’s team was working to restore communications. The spacecraft called Capstone aims to test a highly oval orbit around the moon. That’s where NASA wants to put a mini space station called Gateway, which would serve as a staging point for astronauts before they descend to the lunar surface.