NASA calls off rescue effort to save doomed telescope

NASA has suspended its efforts to rescue the malfunctioning Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, an infrared telescope, after a risky mission to boost it into a higher orbit failed. On August 19, the space agency announced that an ongoing issue with the LINK spacecraft, a US-built satellite developed by Katalyst Space, prevented the planned docking and orbit increase.

Despite NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman's acknowledgment of the mission's bold risks, the operation was deemed unsuccessful. LINK, launched in July, was initially tasked with saving Swift, which has been gradually descending in orbit due to atmospheric drag since its 2004 launch. The $30 million rescue mission, designed and built in under a year, aimed to elevate the telescope to a safer altitude.

However, shortly after the LINK's launch, it began spinning uncontrollably. Although Katalyst managed to stabilize the spacecraft, it consumed excessive fuel, rendering the orbit boost unfeasible. Katalyst CEO Ghonhee Lee acknowledged the high-risk, high-reward nature of the challenge, expressing pride in the milestones achieved.

The LINK will now rendezvous with Swift, but will not attempt to grapple the telescope with its robotic arms. Swift will have limited final observations before re-entering Earth's atmosphere by year-end, with no alternative telescope currently planned.