tech
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.
TL;DR
- NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies have called off the Link mission, designed to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope.
- The Link satellite experienced "ongoing attitude control issues," including problems with reaction wheels and cold gas thrusters, preventing it from completing the rescue.
- Swift is falling out of orbit and is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere later this year, ending its nearly 22-year mission.
- Despite the failed rescue, the mission is considered valuable for advancing in-space servicing capabilities and lessons learned for future missions.
- Katalyst developed the Link satellite on an aggressive nine-month schedule, a task that typically takes years.