NASA calls off risky mission to save falling satellite
A spacecraft built by Katalyst Space launched in July with the goal of boosting the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, but it suffered control issues after launch
A mission to rescue NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a space telescope that studies powerful explosions in the universe, has failed. The observatory, launched in 2004, was expected to plunge back into Earth's atmosphere and disintegrate later this year.
The rescue mission, which cost $30 million, involved a spacecraft built by Katalyst Space, launched in July. However, the spacecraft suffered control issues after launch, including a loss of communications and an out-of-control spin.
According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the mission was worth attempting as it aimed to pave the way for giving other satellites a second life and advancing capabilities for satellite servicing in the future.
Brief written by urgent.news from National Post, Le Monde English, Gulf News, South China Morning Post, Scientific American — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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