Private rescue mission targets NASA Swift with on-orbit grapple

Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link is attempting to save NASA’s Swift gamma-ray observatory by grabbing and boosting its orbit after Swift spun out of control and lost two reaction wheels. Link’s remaining thruster and one wheel are being used to slow the spin and regain attitude control, with engineers reworking control algorithms and aiming for a late‑August rendezvous and capture of Swift. This marks NASA’s first commercial satellite-servicing effort.