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Private mission to rescue NASA's aging telescope runs into its own trouble

Private mission to rescue NASA's aging telescope runs into its own trouble

The spacecraft rushing to the rescue of NASA's sinking Swift Observatory has run into trouble
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Reaction Wheel Failures Complicate NASA's Swift Rescue Mission

Reaction Wheel Failures Complicate NASA's Swift Rescue Mission

The Link satellite, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, is facing operational challenges nearly a month after its launch. Designed to save NASA's Swift gamma-ray telescope from reentry, the satellite is experiencing issues with its attitude control, leading to sporadic communications. Two of the satellite's three reaction wheels are non-operational, and there is a loss of functionality in its cold gas thruster system. Despite these setbacks, the satellite continues to generate sufficient power, allowing engineers time to address the problems. The mission, which began on July 3 with a launch aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket, aims to attach the Link satellite to Swift and elevate its orbit using electric thrusters.
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Northrop Grumman's LINK Spacecraft Faces Control Issues, Impacting NASA Mission

Northrop Grumman's LINK Spacecraft Faces Control Issues, Impacting NASA Mission

The LINK spacecraft, launched on July 3 aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket, is experiencing significant control issues. The spacecraft, intended to rendezvous with NASA's Swift Observatory, began spinning uncontrollably, complicating communication efforts. NASA reported that two of the three reaction wheels, crucial for maintaining the spacecraft's alignment, have failed. Additionally, there are problems with one of the thruster systems. Despite these setbacks, efforts are underway to stabilize the spacecraft using backup thrusters. The mission marks the first time NASA has contracted a private company to elevate one of its telescopes to a higher orbit, aiming to extend the operational life of the Swift Observatory.
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Katalyst Space Technologies' Swift Reboost Mission Faces Attitude Control Setbacks

Katalyst Space Technologies' Swift Reboost Mission Faces Attitude Control Setbacks

Katalyst Space Technologies is facing significant technical challenges with its Link spacecraft, launched to boost the orbit of NASA's Swift Observatory. The spacecraft is experiencing attitude control problems, resulting in a multi-axis spin and communication issues. Two of the three reaction wheels, essential for maintaining orientation, are non-functional, and the reaction control system thrusters are only partially operational. The mission, which began on July 3, aims to dock with Swift and raise its orbit to prevent reentry. Despite these setbacks, Katalyst is working to stabilize the spacecraft using its electric thrusters and plans to update its guidance systems.
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NASA's Swift Observatory Boost Mission Faces Technical Challenges

NASA's Swift Observatory Boost Mission Faces Technical Challenges

Katalyst's LINK servicing spacecraft, tasked with boosting NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit, encountered technical difficulties over the weekend. The spacecraft experienced issues with attitude control, leading to a spin and sporadic communications. Preliminary investigations revealed that two of LINK's three reaction wheels are non-operational, and there is a partial loss of functionality in its cold gas thruster system. Despite these challenges, other major subsystems of LINK are functioning as expected, and the spacecraft remains power positive and in communication with the Katalyst team. Efforts are underway to stabilize LINK's spin using its electric propulsion thrusters. Once stable, the team plans to update the spacecraft's guidance, navigation, and control systems to accommodate its new configuration. Collaboration with NASA teams will follow to evaluate revised plans for approaching and capturing the Swift Observatory, ensuring safety and the spacecraft's health.
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Katalyst Space Technologies Faces Challenges with Swift Rescue Mission Due to Attitude Control Issues

Katalyst Space Technologies Faces Challenges with Swift Rescue Mission Due to Attitude Control Issues

Katalyst Space Technologies is encountering significant challenges with its Link spacecraft, which was launched to save NASA's Swift gamma-ray telescope from reentry. The spacecraft is experiencing attitude control issues, causing it to spin and lose communication intermittently. Two of the three reaction wheels, crucial for maintaining the spacecraft's orientation, are not functioning, and the cold gas thruster system is partially operational. The mission, which began on July 3, aims to attach the Link satellite to Swift using robotic arms and raise its orbit with electric thrusters. Without intervention, Swift is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up within months. The mission is critical as Swift is one of the few observatories capable of detecting gamma-ray bursts, and NASA has invested $30 million in this rescue effort.
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Swift Reboost Mission Faces Attitude Control Challenges

Swift Reboost Mission Faces Attitude Control Challenges

Katalyst Space Technologies' Link spacecraft, launched on July 3, 2026, is experiencing attitude control issues that threaten its mission to boost the orbit of NASA's Swift Observatory. The spacecraft is in a 'multi-axis spin,' affecting communications and causing a temporary loss of control. Two of the three reaction wheels are not functioning, and the reaction control system thrusters are only partially operational. Despite these challenges, Katalyst is working to stabilize the spacecraft using electric propulsion thrusters and plans to update its guidance systems.
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Katalyst's LINK Spacecraft Faces Challenges in Boosting NASA's Swift Observatory

Katalyst's LINK Spacecraft Faces Challenges in Boosting NASA's Swift Observatory

Katalyst's LINK servicing spacecraft, designed to boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbital altitude, encountered issues with attitude control over the weekend. The spacecraft began spinning due to the malfunction of two out of its three reaction wheels and experienced some loss of functionality in its cold gas thruster system. Despite these challenges, LINK's other major subsystems are functioning as expected, and the spacecraft remains power positive and in communication with the Katalyst team. Efforts are underway to stabilize LINK's spin using its electric propulsion thrusters, after which the team will update its guidance, navigation, and control systems to accommodate the new configuration.
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NASA's Roman Space Telescope Transported from Goddard to Kennedy for Launch Preparation

NASA's Roman Space Telescope Transported from Goddard to Kennedy for Launch Preparation

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has been successfully transported from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This complex operation involved moving the telescope in a specially designed portable clean room called the CHARIOT. The transport required careful planning and coordination, including a slow journey through Baltimore and a barge trip to Florida. The Roman Space Telescope is now at Kennedy, where it will undergo final preparations for its upcoming launch.
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NASA's Katalyst Space Robot Faces Challenges in Orbital Telescope Mission

NASA's Katalyst Space Robot Faces Challenges in Orbital Telescope Mission

A Katalyst Space robot, contracted by NASA to elevate the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit, is experiencing control issues. The robot, launched on July 3, was intended to extend the observatory's operational lifespan by repositioning it. However, the spacecraft has begun tumbling uncontrollably due to failures in its reaction wheels and thruster systems. NASA and Katalyst Space are working to stabilize the spacecraft using alternative thrusters. The mission marks the first time NASA has employed a private company for such a task, highlighting the growing role of private enterprises in space operations.
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NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for August Launch with Successful Fueling

NASA Prepares Roman Space Telescope for August Launch with Successful Fueling

NASA has successfully fueled the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, marking a significant step towards its scheduled launch in late August. The fueling process involved loading 290 gallons of hydrazine fuel into the observatory at NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This fuel will power the telescope's thrusters, enabling it to maintain its orbit around the Sun-Earth Lagrange point 2, located about one million miles from Earth. The Roman Space Telescope is designed to study thousands of exoplanets and the mystery of dark energy, with a primary mission duration of five years and potential for an additional five years. The launch is set for August 30 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
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NASA Releases Detailed Schedule for Ad ASTRA Community Workshop

NASA Releases Detailed Schedule for Ad ASTRA Community Workshop

NASA has announced the detailed schedule for the upcoming Ad ASTRA Community Workshop, set to take place from September 1-3, 2026. The workshop, part of the Astrophysics Strategic Technology & Research Accelerator (ASTRA) initiative, will feature a series of talks and poster presentations. The abstracts for these presentations have been sorted and are available in a PDF booklet on the workshop's webpage. The event aims to bring together members of the astrophysics community to discuss advancements and strategies in the field. Dr. Ron Gamble and Dr. Bernard Kelly, support scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, are involved in organizing the workshop.