Tag

Link Spacecraft

All articles tagged with #link spacecraft

science29 days ago•134 min saved

LINK's Narrow Pass Fails to Save NASA's Swift Observatory

LINK, a robotic servicing spacecraft from Katalyst Space, briefly closed in on NASA's Swift Observatory—within about 12 to 15 kilometers—and fired its thrusters and deployed its arms in a last-ditch effort to raise Swift's orbit, but the plan could not save the telescope from an expected end-of-year burn-up; two of Swift's instruments were briefly reactivated in August to monitor conditions as drag waned, while NASA and Katalyst continue to extract data from LINK and pursue technology demonstrations for future satellite servicing.

via Space|

#katalyst-space #link-spacecraft #nasa

space1 month ago•6 min saved

NASA Aborts Rescue for Aging Swift Telescope as Reentry Looms

NASA canceled its planned rescue of the aging Swift gamma-ray observatory after the LINK spacecraft suffered attitude-control failures; the mission would have used robotic arms to capture Swift and raise it to a safer orbit, but ongoing control-system problems forced cancellation. With Swift losing altitude due to atmospheric drag, reentry is expected before the end of 2026, while LINK will continue rendezvous demonstrations to inform future satellite-servicing efforts.

via WIRED|

#gamma-ray-bursts #link-spacecraft #orbital-reentry

space1 month ago•2 min saved

NASA Halts Swift Rescue Mission as Observatory Nears Re-entry

NASA canceled the plan to boost the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit after LINK’s attitude-control issues; the telescope is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year. LINK will still rendezvous with Swift to gather data, but the mission will not rescue or extend Swift’s life. NASA will pursue alternative options to react rapidly to cosmic events and learn from the rendezvous attempt for future satellite-servicing missions.

via Engadget|

#link-spacecraft #nasa #orbital-decay

space1 month ago•4 min saved

Swift reboost plan scrapped after Link attitude-control woes

Katalyst Space and NASA have canceled plans to use the Link spacecraft to grapple and raise the Swift gamma-ray observatory's orbit due to ongoing attitude-control problems (including a spin from failing reaction wheels). Link will instead conduct rendezvous and proximity operations near Swift, but the reboost is off, effectively ending Swift's active science phase this year; NASA and Katalyst will use the experience to inform future satellite servicing efforts.

via spacenews.com|

#katalyst-space-technologies #link-spacecraft #nasa

space1 month ago•2 min saved

Software patch steadies LINK as it closes in on NASA's Swift

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.

via gizmodo.com|

#attitude-control #link-spacecraft #nasa

technology2 months ago•14 min saved

Katalyst Space edges toward Swift boost after attitude-control recovery

Katalyst Space Technologies reports progress in stabilizing its Link servicing spacecraft after a post-launch spin problem, slowing rotation from about 9 degrees per second to 1.47 deg/s with a thruster and conserving propellant, with a major flight software update planned to regain attitude control and set up a grapple with NASA’s Swift Observatory to raise its decaying orbit before Swift deorbits later this year.

via SpaceNews|

#attitude-control #katalyst-space-technologies #link-spacecraft

space2 months ago•108 min saved

Spin-out crisis as private LINK mission races to rescue NASA’s Swift telescope

A private mission by Katalyst Space to reposition NASA’s Swift gamma‑ray observatory has hit a snag: the LINK spacecraft is spinning after launch, threatening to delay the rescue unless engineers can stabilize it. With two of three attitude‑control wheels malfunctioning and rotation reduced to about four degrees per second from nine, teams aim for a late‑August rendezvous with Swift before the telescope drops back to Earth this autumn, a success that could extend Swift’s life by years and cost roughly $30 million.

via Live Science|

#katalyst-space #link-spacecraft #nasa

space2 months ago•130 min saved

Link Servicer Eyes Rescue of Swift Observatory, but Itself Faces Troubles

NASA launched the LINK servicing spacecraft to rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory in low Earth orbit to grab and boost the aging satellite and extend its life. LINK is already experiencing attitude-control issues (two of its three reaction wheels are not working) and a thruster problem, so engineers will use its electric propulsion to stop spinning and then attempt to capture Swift with robotic arms to lift it to a higher orbit. Swift, launched in 2004 for gamma-ray-burst science, has a decaying orbit and cannot boost itself; the Swift Boost mission cost about $30 million, versus Swift’s $250 million price tag. If successful, Swift’s life is extended; if not, NASA will reassess.

via Space|

#gamma-ray-bursts #link-spacecraft #nasa

space3 months ago•4 min saved

Three-armed rescue craft heads to save NASA's Swift Observatory from decay

A high-stakes mission launched with Northrop Grumman’s Link spacecraft to capture NASA’s Swift Observatory and lift its orbit by about 150 miles, preventing its fall to Earth and allowing resumed gamma-ray burst observations by September.

via WRAL|

#katalyst-space-technologies #link-spacecraft #nasa-swift-observatory

space-exploration3 months ago•102 min saved

Private LINK mission to rescue NASA's Swift telescope from burning up in Earth's atmosphere

NASA launched the LINK servicing satellite aboard a Pegasus XL rocket to rendezvous with the aging Swift Observatory and tow it into a higher, stable orbit to prevent its reentry into Earth's atmosphere. LINK, built by Katalyst Space Technologies, will use robotic arms to capture Swift and then fire ion thrusters to gradually raise the duo’s orbit over months, extending Swift’s scientific life for years at a cost of about $30 million — a private mission that could mark the first private capture of a U.S. government satellite.

via Space|

#link-spacecraft #nasa #pegasus-xl-rocket