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NASA has called off an unprecedented mission to rescue its Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after the spacecraft sent to save the ageing telescope developed serious control problems. The rescue vehicle, LINK, built by US startup Katalyst Space under a $30m NASA contract, began spinning uncontrollably after its July launch, preventing it from reaching and repositioning Swift.
Swift, which has studied powerful cosmic explosions since 2004, was supposed to be captured by LINK and moved to a higher orbit to extend its operational life. Engineers spent weeks attempting to regain control of the rescue spacecraft, but persistent attitude-control problems forced NASA and Katalyst to abandon the planned capture and orbital boost.
With the rescue attempt cancelled, the roughly $500m Swift Observatory is expected to gradually lose altitude and eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, where it will burn up later this year. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described the failure as disappointing but said the mission provided valuable experience that could advance future satellite-servicing technology.
