The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, a 22-year-old NASA astrophysics multitool that acts as a first responder for flaring celestial objects, faces atmospheric reentry this fall unless a risky orbital rescue mission succeeds, according to mission scientists. Atmospheric drag intensified by solar activity has pushed the spacecraft below its optimal altitude of 185 miles, forcing NASA to select Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies to design, build, test, and launch a rescue satellite named LINK within nine months.
LINK Launch and Orbital Setbacks
The robotic LINK satellite lifted off on July 3 using a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket released midair by a modified L-1011 aircraft known as Stargazer, according to Katalyst and NASA. Everything appeared normal until July 25, when LINK began spinning in space, causing a temporary loss of communications. Katalyst and NASA confirmed the communication blackout on July 28. Prior to the spin, the mission team had already addressed early attitude control issues involving one of the spacecraft’s three reaction wheels by implementing flight software patches and operational updates, according to NASA updates from July 15.
Current Status of the Swift Rescue Attempt
Katalyst confirmed that mission teams successfully reduced LINK’s spin rate from 9 degrees per second down to 1.47 degrees per second using an electric propulsion thruster. This maneuver consumed less than 100 grams of propellant to preserve fuel for the upcoming rendezvous and boost phases, according to the company. The team plans to send a flight software update to restore LINK’s spatial orientation and begin maneuvers to align its orbit with the Swift observatory. A survey to determine grappling points on Swift, originally slated for the end of July, is now expected to occur a month later.
Did you know? Named after fast-flying swift birds for its ability to pivot rapidly toward cosmic events, the telescope has studied comets, gravitational waves, and black holes over nearly 22 years in low-Earth orbit.
Mission Risks and Future Operations
Both NASA and Katalyst officials acknowledged significant risks prior to launch. “All of this is challenging and risky,” said Kieran Wilson, principal investigator for LINK at Katalyst, during a June 17 news conference, adding that many well-funded spacecraft fail for mundane reasons. Shawn Domagal-Goldman, division director of astrophysics at NASA, noted during the same briefing that risks remain even if every step is executed perfectly. If LINK successfully grasps Swift, it will fire three ion thrusters over two to three months to push the observatory back to its original orbit, potentially allowing science observations to resume this fall.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory falling?
Intensified atmospheric drag caused by solar activity has pulled the observatory below its optimal altitude of about 185 miles, according to NASA predictions.
How does the LINK spacecraft plan to save Swift?
LINK will rendezvous with Swift, determine the best grappling points, secure the observatory, and use three ion thrusters to boost its orbit over a two- to three-month period.
Who built the rescue satellite?
Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies designed, built, tested, and launched the LINK robotic satellite within a span of nine months.
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