A spacecraft designed to extend the operational life of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory returned to Earth on Friday after a failed rescue attempt, concluding an ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful salvage operation.
Link, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies based in Flagstaff, Arizona, launched on 3 July from Kwajalein Atoll in the South Pacific with the objective of boosting the altitude of Swift, which has been observing gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena for 22 years. The spacecraft approached within 7 to 9 miles of the observatory and captured detailed images of its condition but encountered significant technical obstacles that prevented mission completion.
The mission faced considerable challenges after launch, including motion control problems and communication issues that disabled two of Link’s three reaction wheels needed for maneuvering. The spacecraft experienced a deep spin at one point, though engineers were able to restore communication and control. However, mission managers determined that insufficient fuel remained to attempt the capture and orbital boost, leading them to abandon the rescue effort last month.
Katalyst Space Technologies had secured a $30 million contract from NASA in September 2024 to undertake the rescue mission. The company assembled and executed the complex operation within 22 months of receiving the contract. Despite the failure, NASA officials characterized the mission as a valuable undertaking that advanced spacecraft servicing technology and tested new approaches to satellite operations in low Earth orbit.
Without the altitude boost, Swift is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in November as its orbit continues to decay. NASA officials noted that the observatory’s expected lifespan was shortened partly by intense solar activity that the satellite was designed to study. NASA had suspended Swift’s observations earlier in the year and repositioned the satellite to minimize atmospheric drag while preparing the rescue attempt.
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