Software patch steadies LINK as it closes in on NASA's Swift
TL;DR Summary
LINK's two failed reaction wheels caused a tumble during its mission to rescue NASA's Swift Observatory. Engineers uploaded a flight software update to stabilize LINK's attitude control and enable the planned burns to raise Swift's orbit, extending the observatory's life. Swift, launched in 2004, currently sits about 216 miles up and faces a roughly 50% chance of uncontrolled reentry by mid-2026.
- NASA’s Plan to Save Swift Just Got a Software Fix It Badly Needed gizmodo.com
- NASA Swift Boost Spacecraft Prepares to Continue Mission NASA Science (.gov)
- Mission to save NASA telescope back on track after loss of control New Scientist
- Risky mission to save NASA’s falling observatory faces issues of its own cnn.com
- Katalyst Space makes progress in restoring control of Swift servicing spacecraft SpaceNews
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