Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit
14 hours ago
- The Link satellite, built to rescue NASA's Swift telescope, is experiencing attitude control issues, with two of three reaction wheels inoperable and partial loss of cold gas thruster functionality.
- Launched on July 3, the mission initially showed good progress including solar array deployment and first firings of electric thrusters, which are critical for orbit raising and eventual attachment to Swift.
- Without rescue, Swift, which is nearly 22 years old and lacks propulsion, will burn up in the atmosphere within months; NASA is paying Katalyst $30 million for the service due to Swift's unique role in detecting gamma-ray bursts.