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Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit
16 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.
NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction
16 days ago
- NASA's Swift Observatory is at risk of falling out of orbit due to increased solar storms.
- A rescue mission, launching a commercial robotic spacecraft named LINK by Katalyst Space, aims to boost the telescope's orbit.
- This is the first attempt to service a satellite not designed for in-space capture.
- If successful, the mission will extend the observatory's life and test new capabilities for future missions.
- The launch, using Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket, was postponed due to an issue; a new date is pending.
- Swift studies gamma-ray bursts and has operated since 2004, but lacks propulsion to counter atmospheric drag.
- Without intervention, Swift has a high chance of uncontrolled reentry by 2026.
NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth
24 days ago
- NASA funded the launch of the spacecraft LINK to rescue the Swift observatory, which is at risk of crashing due to atmospheric drag from solar activity.
- Swift, launched in 2004, is crucial for studying high-energy cosmic explosions, and its orbit has fallen from 373 to 220 miles, with a rescue needed before it drops below 186 miles.
- Katalyst Space Technologies designed and built the three-armed LINK robot in eight months for this unprecedented mission, aiming to grab Swift and raise its orbit over 2-3 months back to 373 miles.
- The rescue involves LINK approaching, circling, and gently lifting Swift without sudden boosts, with success potentially paving the way for saving other telescopes like Hubble.
- The mission is high-risk but deemed worth it due to Swift's unique scientific value in observing brief, powerful cosmic events that reveal the dawn of the cosmos.

Hasty Briefsbeta

space rescue

Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit

NASA has a bold plan to save Swift Observatory from destruction

NASA launches robot to save Swift telescope falling to Earth