Katalyst Space Technologies’ Link spacecraft came within 15 kilometers of NASA’s aging Swift Observatory but abandoned its rescue attempt due to dwindling fuel, according to a report by AP News. The mission, funded by NASA with $30 million, aimed to test satellite servicing capabilities but faced setbacks from the outset. Katalyst Space Technologies’ Swift Rescue … Read more
Katalyst Space continues to operate its Link spacecraft in orbit to gather critical flight experience for future satellite servicing missions, despite abandoning plans to reboost a NASA gamma-ray observatory due to attitude control issues, according to company chief executive Ghonhee Lee. Reaction Wheel Failures Force Mission Redesign The Link spacecraft, launched in July, lost two … Read more
Katalyst Space Technologies is working to stabilize its Link spacecraft following a post-launch “multi-axis spin” that threatened the mission’s ability to service the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. According to the company, controllers successfully reduced the satellite’s body rate from 9 degrees per second to 1.47 degrees per second using electric thrusters, preserving fuel for the … Read more