Spacecraft Sent to Rescue NASA Telescope Is Having Its Own Issues
A NASA servicing mission intended to stabilize a satellite is facing technical failures, including the loss of two reaction wheels and thruster issues. The spacecraft, named LINK, is currently spinning in orbit while engineers attempt to regain control.
Why it matters
This failure highlights the significant technical challenges and risks involved in autonomous orbital servicing missions.
Earlier this month, NASA sent a servicing mission to stop one of its satellites from falling out of the sky. The satellite in distress is awaiting a slight nudge to move it into a safer orbit, but its long-awaited rescue is currently in jeopardy.
The servicing spacecraft, developed by contractor Katalyst Space Technologies, experienced issues with attitude control over the weekend, NASA shared in an update . This has caused the spacecraft, dubbed LINK, to spin while in orbit and resulted in sporadic communications.
The team behind the mission is currently working to stop LINK’s unfortunate orbital tumble and reestablish a stable attitude.
The three-armed LINK spacecraft took off on July 3 onboard a converted Lockheed L-1011 aircraft from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific. LINK was then launched into space from an altitude of 7.6 miles (12.2 kilometers) using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket.
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