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NASA calls off $30M Swift rescue as Katalyst's Link control issues force re-entry
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NASA has called off the $30 million rescue mission for its Swift space telescope after Katalyst Space's Link spacecraft suffered persistent control and positioning problems, leaving the telescope to re-enter the atmosphere after more than 20 years of service.
The failure ends a high-risk attempt to extend the life of a valuable scientific instrument, and it means Swift will burn up in the atmosphere, with its demise not expected before October. The mission's collapse also highlights the difficulty of on-orbit servicing, as Katalyst's Link spacecraft went into an uncontrollable spin shortly after launch and never recovered full pointing control. Despite the loss, Katalyst will continue operating Link near Swift to demonstrate capabilities for future rescue operations.
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NASA paid $30 million to Katalyst to raise Swift to a safer orbit, but the mission was called off due to Link's control and positioning problems.
Swift will now plunge through the atmosphere after more than 20 years of tracking gamma ray bursts and exploding stars, with its demise not expected before October.
Katalyst will continue to operate Link in proximity with the telescope to demonstrate capabilities for future rescue operations, and both NASA and Katalyst officials acknowledged the mission's high-risk nature.
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