NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory
NASA and startup Katalyst Space Technologies have abandoned a mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray observatory due to attitude control issues with the Link rescue satellite. The mission was intended to extend the life of the telescope by boosting its orbit before it re-entered the atmosphere.
Why it matters
The failure highlights the technical risks and challenges inherent in private-public partnerships for space debris management and satellite maintenance.
Katalyzing NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory Without a rescue, NASA’s Swift Observatory is expected to reenter the atmosphere later this year.
2 A camera onboard Katalyst's Link spacecraft captured this view of one of its solar arrays in low-Earth orbit. Credit: Katalyst Space Technologies A camera onboard Katalyst's Link spacecraft captured this view of one of its solar arrays in low-Earth orbit. Credit: Katalyst Space Technologies Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced Wednesday they are giving up on a robotic mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope before it falls out of orbit.
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