Reaction wheel woes push Swift rescue mission into a spin

NASA and Katalyst’s Link rescue satellite are grappling with attitude-control problems after launch, with two of Link’s three reaction wheels inoperable and partial loss of its cold gas thruster, causing the craft to spin and suffer intermittent communications. Engineers are repurposing the electric thrusters to stabilize Link’s attitude and plan revised rendezvous with NASA’s Swift gamma-ray observatory to extend its life and test commercial satellite servicing, a high-stakes tech demonstration that aims to prevent Swift’s reentry.