NASA Swift rescue mission fails due to spacecraft technical issues

The mission to rescue NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory using the LINK robotic spacecraft has concluded without success. NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies confirmed that the LINK spacecraft will not be able to capture or boost the observatory to a higher altitude to extend its scientific mission.

The $30 million mission was intended to raise Swift’s deteriorating orbit back to 600 kilometers, as intense solar activity caused the observatory to decay faster than expected. However, the LINK spacecraft encountered several technical failures, including electronic issues that disabled two of its three reaction wheels and a faulty valve that caused an unplanned rotation. These complications resulted in insufficient fuel to complete the rescue operation.

Despite the failure to boost the orbit, engineers successfully tested the spacecraft’s robotic arms and managed to approach the observatory within 12 to 15 kilometers. The LINK spacecraft is expected to reenter the atmosphere shortly, with the Swift observatory following in the coming months. Officials noted that while the mission did not achieve its primary goal, it provided valuable lessons for future orbital servicing attempts.