Commercial robot to rescue NASA’s aging Swift space telescope
TL;DR
NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory—launched in 2004 and now tumbling in low Earth orbit due to solar-driven drag—could be saved by LINK, a seven‑month-built robotic spacecraft from Katalyst Space Technologies that would capture Swift and raise its orbit using a Pegasus XL launch; if successful, it would mark the first commercial in‑space servicing of a government satellite, otherwise the observatory could reenter uncontrolled.
Topics:sciencespace#katalyst-space-technologies#link#pegasus-xl#satellite-servicing#space#swift-observatory
- A space telescope that has spent 22 years detecting the most powerful explosions in the universe is now falling toward Earth, and a startup in Arizona built its rescue craft in seven months flat — a schedule Science described as almost unheard of for a NASA m Space Daily
- 'No one thought it was going to be possible.' A space telescope is falling out of space. This is NASA's daring plan to save it. (video) Space
- A bold satellite rescue mission came together in record time, but will it work? Ars Technica
- Rocket Attached to Aircraft for Katalyst-NASA Swift Boost NASA Science (.gov)
- NASA's Swift Boost Mission Will Launch Later This Month To Rescue A Falling Telescope Engadget
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Space Daily