NASA has launched a robotic spacecraft to rescue its aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which is at risk of falling back to Earth. The mission, developed by Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies, marks the first attempt to capture and reposition an uncrewed satellite not originally designed for in-orbit servicing.
The LINK spacecraft, launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket from the Marshall Islands on July 3, will spend the next two months maneuvering to intercept Swift. Once in position, it will use robotic arms to latch onto the observatory and boost it into a higher orbit, potentially extending its operational life by years.
Swift, which has studied gamma-ray bursts, black holes, and distant galaxies since 2004, has no propulsion system. Recent solar activity has accelerated its orbital decay, causing it to lose altitude faster than expected. Without intervention, the $500 million observatory was projected to reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up later this year.
The $30 million mission, completed in just nine months, represents a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. Katalyst Space Technologies' CEO Ghonhee Lee described it as a 'breakneck-speed' effort, acknowledging the significant challenges but emphasizing the necessity of the rescue attempt.
If successful, the mission could pave the way for future satellite servicing and debris removal operations. NASA has indicated that other aging satellites, including the Hubble Space Telescope, could benefit from similar interventions in the future.
The Swift operations team at Penn State University has taken steps to conserve power and optimize the observatory's position to prolong its orbit. However, once it dips below a critical altitude of about 185 miles, reentry becomes inevitable.
The LINK spacecraft will undergo a series of checks before attempting the rendezvous. If all goes as planned, Swift could resume its scientific observations by September.