Northrop Grumman Pegasus Launch Sends Katalyst LINK to Reboost NASA’s Swift Observatory

On July 3, 2026, Northrop Grumman used its air‑launched Pegasus‑XL rocket to place Katalyst Space’s LINK on‑orbit servicing spacecraft into low‑Earth orbit. The rocket was released from the L‑1011 “Stargazer” aircraft over Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands after climbing to about 41,000 ft. This flight marked the 46th Pegasus mission and the final one under the current contract, showcasing the system’s rapid, flexible launch capability.

LINK’s mission is to rendezvous with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, which has been operating since 2004 and whose orbit is decaying faster than expected due to heightened solar activity. Funded by a $30 million NASA contract, the spacecraft will conduct proximity operations, attach with one of its three grippers, and raise Swift’s altitude over two to three months, aiming to keep the observatory above 300 km before an expected drop in October. NASA describes the effort as a “high‑risk, high‑reward” demonstration of on‑orbit servicing technology.