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.
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies have announced plans to abandon their mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope before it re-enters Earth's atmosphere. The rescue satellite, named Link, had been launched on July 3 with the goal of flying up to NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, capturing the Swift telescope with three robotic arms, and boosting its orbit to avoid reentry.
Link, approximately the size of a refrigerator, features two solar arrays and three xenon-fueled electric thrusters designed to send Swift into a safer, higher orbit. However, Katalyst, the company spearheading the rescue effort, has revealed that persistent attitude control issues will hinder Link's ability to complete its mission.
Despite these challenges, Katalyst assured that the spacecraft will continue to function as long as possible, potentially enabling a demonstration of its close-in navigation system to get in proximity to Swift for a test run.
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