Katalyst Space Technologies' Link satellite, tasked with rescuing NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory, spun out of control and lost two of its three reaction wheels. Engineers are working to recover the spacecraft through sporadic radio contact, with cold gas thruster issues identified as a likely cause. This marks NASA's first commercial satellite servicing mission, making the stakes especially high.
Background
NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory, launched in 2004, is experiencing orbital decay and needs a boost to continue its mission. Katalyst Space Technologies won a $30 million NASA contract to service Swift, marking the agency's first-ever commercial satellite servicing mission.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Aug 2, 2026 at 02:20 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10