Here's how engineers plan to save the satellite sent to save NASA's Swift mission
Engineers are working to stabilize the Link satellite, which spun out of control while attempting a rescue mission for NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory. The mission is critical to extending the life of the $500 million telescope before it re-enters the atmosphere.
Why it matters
This represents a high-stakes test of commercial satellite servicing, a growing sector in the space industry.
Still in the cards Here’s how engineers plan to save the satellite sent to save NASA’s Swift mission “We believe that a capture of Swift, an attempted capture of Swift, is very much in the cards.”
7 Artist's illustration of Katalyst's Link spacecraft (left) with NASA's Swift observatory (right). Credit: NASA Artist's illustration of Katalyst's Link spacecraft (left) with NASA's Swift observatory (right). Credit: NASA Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav One week ago, more than 200 miles above the Earth, a refrigerator-size satellite making its way toward an attempted rescue of NASA’s $500 million Swift gamma-ray observatory suddenly spun out of control .
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