Spacecraft sent on rescue mission loses control
The LINK spacecraft, designed to extend the life of the Swift space telescope by raising its orbit, is suffering from attitude control system malfunctions. NASA and Katalyst Space remain optimistic about completing the mission.
At the beginning of July, NASA launched the LINK spacecraft with a unique objective: to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is losing altitude faster than expected and could re-enter Earth's atmosphere later this year. However, it has emerged that the rescue spacecraft itself has encountered a significant problem, putting the continuation of the mission in question.
According to an update published by NASA on the official Swift observatory blog, the LINK spacecraft suffered a malfunction in its attitude control system—the mechanism responsible for maintaining stability and orientation in space—over the past weekend. As a result, the spacecraft began to spin, leading to intermittent communication issues with ground control.
Developed by the Arizona-based company Katalyst Space, LINK was designed to dock with the Swift telescope and tow it to a higher orbit. This maneuver was intended to grant the observatory several more years of operation and allow it to continue its scientific data collection.
Every satellite in orbit around Earth gradually loses altitude until it eventually enters the atmosphere and burns up. In the case of Swift, this process has accelerated recently due to increased solar activity, which has heightened atmospheric drag. NASA tests indicated that without intervention, the telescope is expected to end its journey this year.
LINK is now dealing with a series of its own malfunctions. NASA reports that two of the spacecraft's three reaction wheels, used for orientation, are currently non-functional. Additionally, some impairment in the cold gas thruster system has been recorded.
Despite these challenges, ground teams are maintaining contact with the spacecraft. Engineers plan to use its electric propulsion engines to stop the spin. Afterward, they will need to reconfigure the guidance and navigation systems to match the spacecraft's current state, allowing Katalyst Space and NASA to assess whether the rescue mission can proceed as planned or if the execution strategy must be altered.
Despite the uncertainty, Katalyst Space remains optimistic. In a statement, the company confirmed that the mission is still active and that, based on their assessment, LINK still has a viable trajectory to reach the Swift telescope and complete its primary objective even with the necessary adjustments.
