A joint mission between NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies to save the Swift observatory has been jeopardized by an unexpected problem. The Swift observatory, which has been in service for 22 years, was in danger of falling as it has no engine of its own and has been losing altitude for years.
The rescue attempt involved the LINK service vehicle, developed by Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies. Launched on 3 July via a Pegasus XL rocket, LINK was intended to use three robotic arms to lock onto the telescope and move it to a higher orbit.
Estimated value of the Swift space telescope.
During the mission, the LINK vehicle lost attitude control and began spinning around itself. Reports on the timing of the malfunction vary; some sources indicate the malfunction occurred immediately after launch, while others state the spinning began just before the rendezvous with the telescope.
Initial assessments by technicians found that the cold gas propulsion mechanism on LINK had lost function and two of the three reaction wheels were disabled.
NASA officials acknowledged communication interruptions but said the systems' overall condition was good.
Technical challenges and mission outlook
The Swift observatory previously entered safe mode in 2022 following a similar reaction wheel malfunction. In that same year, it recorded the BOAT event, identified as the most powerful gamma-ray burst in history. The observatory currently studies the most violent explosions in the universe.
Engineers are planning to activate electric thrusters on LINK to regain control. If the electric thruster maneuver succeeds, the mission's course will be reassessed.
The incident tests Katalyst Space's ability to respond to a crisis and will determine the future of the Swift space telescope. The fate of the rescue attempt will become clear after the intervention on the faulty service vehicle.
