NASA plots daring private rescue to save the Swift observatory
TL;DR
NASA is planning an unprecedented rescue to save the Swift gamma-ray burst observatory from a rapidly decaying low-Earth orbit by launching the LINK robotic servicing spacecraft on a Pegasus XL to capture and boost Swift to a higher orbit, extending its mission life and marking the first time a commercial vehicle would service a government satellite not designed for in-space servicing.
- A space telescope is falling to Earth. NASA plans a mission to rescue it USA Today
- 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)
- Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus Rocket to Power Unprecedented NASA Observatory Rescue Northrop Grumman
- Swift reboost mission ready for launch SpaceNews
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