NASA abandons mission to boost Swift Observatory via LINK spacecraft

NASA has abandoned plans to use the LINK spacecraft to boost the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory into a higher orbit. The mission, intended to rescue the 22-year-old telescope from atmospheric drag, was compromised after the LINK spacecraft experienced serious attitude-control problems during its on-orbit commissioning.

Built by Katalyst Space Technologies, the LINK spacecraft lost control of two of its three reaction wheels shortly after its July 3, 2026, launch. While the spacecraft can no longer perform the docking and boosting maneuver required to save the observatory, it will still conduct limited rendezvous and proximity operations. These activities are intended to demonstrate technologies for future spacecraft-servicing missions.

The Swift Observatory, which specializes in detecting gamma-ray bursts, is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up later in 2026 due to increased atmospheric drag caused by solar maximum.