NASA, Katalyst call off SWIFT rescue mission over issues with rescue craft in space

On August 19, NASA and Katalyst Space terminated their joint mission to rescue the aging SWIFT observatory due to technical problems with the rescue spacecraft. The LINK spacecraft, tasked with raising the telescope's orbit, encountered irreparable issues while in space. Following thorough monitoring and evaluation, both parties concluded that the ongoing attitude control problems rendered the mission infeasible.

Katalyst Space announced in a statement that the rescue operation would not proceed, as the spacecraft's inability to maintain proper orientation prevented the capture and boost of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.