# NASA Cancels Swift Observatory Rescue Mission > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/northrop-grummans-mission-robotic-vehicle-prepares-for-a-summer-2026-launch-to-demonstrate-satellite > Updated: 2026-08-31T14:59:51.000Z. Sources: 245. Developments: 34. NASA’s effort to save the 22-year-old Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has been canceled. After several weather-related holds, the LINK robotic servicer, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies, was launched on 3 July 2026 via a Pegasus XL. Shortly after deployment, LINK entered an uncontrolled multi-axis spin following the failure of two of its three reaction wheels and its cold-gas thruster system. Engineers attempted to stabilize the vehicle by repurposing LINK’s xenon-fueled electric thrusters to provide limited attitude control. While they successfully managed to slow the rotation and maintain power, the persistent attitude-control issues made a safe capture and reboost of the Swift Observatory impossible. NASA and Katalyst concluded that the mission could no longer proceed as intended, noting that the reliability of the spacecraft was too low for the delicate operation of towing a 1.5-ton observatory. Swift, which has been studying gamma-ray bursts since 2004, has operated for over two decades, far exceeding its original two-year design life. Increased solar activity has expanded Earth’s upper atmosphere, increasing drag and accelerating the observatory’s orbital decay. Consequently, Swift is expected to undergo a fiery reentry into Earth’s atmosphere toward the end of 2026. Following the failure of the rescue mission, mission controllers reactivated two of the observatory’s three instruments on 26 August: the X-ray Telescope and the Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope. The Burst Alert Telescope remains offline but is expected to resume data collection within weeks. Despite the partial reactivation, the aging telescope still faces an uncontrolled atmospheric reentry later this year due to its lack of propulsion. ## Claims - NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies have cancelled the mission to rescue the Swift Observatory. (disputed by 34 sources) - Katalyst will continue to operate the Link spacecraft near the Swift Observatory to demonstrate proximity capabilities. (disputed by 25 sources) - The Link spacecraft will not attempt to capture and boost the Swift Observatory due to ongoing attitude control issues. (corroborated by 34 sources) - The Swift Observatory is expected to undergo a fiery reentry into the atmosphere later this year. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The Link spacecraft experienced a multi-axis spin following the loss of two of its three reaction wheels. (corroborated by 18 sources) - NASA paid $30 million to Katalyst Space Technologies for the orbital rescue attempt. (corroborated by 16 sources) - The cold‑gas thruster system on LINK has lost some functionality. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The LINK spacecraft was launched on 3 July on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL air‑launched rocket. (corroborated by 6 sources) - The mission’s goal is for LINK to rendezvous with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and raise the telescope’s orbit. (corroborated by 6 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: NASA's Swift Observatory resumes science after failed rescue mission NASA's Swift Observatory has resumed science operations with two of its three instruments after a private mission by Katalyst Space failed to boost its decaying orbit. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/swift-observatory-resumes-science-operations-after-failed-orbital-rescue ### 2026-08-24: NASA abandons mission to boost Swift Observatory via LINK spacecraft NASA's attempt to rescue the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory using the LINK spacecraft has failed due to attitude-control issues, though limited rendezvous operations will still occur. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-abandons-mission-to-boost-swift-observatory-via-link-spacecraft ### 2026-08-21: NASA cancels Swift Telescope rescue mission after spacecraft failure NASA has canceled the mission to rescue the Swift Observatory after the LINK rescue satellite suffered technical failures. The telescope is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere later this year. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-cancels-swift-observatory-rescue-mission ### 2026-08-19: NASA and Katalyst cancel Swift Observatory rescue mission NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies have abandoned plans to rescue the Swift Observatory using the Link spacecraft due to ongoing attitude control issues, leaving the telescope to reenter Earth's atmosphere. 99 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-katalyst-cancel-swift-observatory-rescue-mission ### 2026-08-06: NASA's Swift rescue mission delayed as LINK satellite spins out of control NASA's Swift rescue mission delayed after rescue satellite LINK spun out of control, putting the planned orbit boost in doubt. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-swift-observatory-rescue-mission-hampered-by-spinning-satellite ### 2026-08-02: Katalyst Space struggles to stabilize satellite rescuing NASA's Swift observatory Katalyst Space's Link satellite, launched to rescue NASA's Swift observatory, spun out of control and lost reaction wheels. Engineers are using its electric thrusters to counter the spin while Swift regains its 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katalyst-space-struggles-to-stabilize-satellite-rescuing-nasas-swift-observatory ### 2026-07-31: NASA's Swift Telescope Rescue Mission Delayed by LINK Spacecraft Malfunction NASA’s LINK rescue spacecraft suffered a control‑system failure, delaying the Swift telescope boost to late August, though engineers remain confident of a successful rescue before re‑entry. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-swift-telescope-rescue-mission-delayed-by-link-spacecraft-malfunction ### 2026-07-28: NASA's Swift telescope rescue mission hit by LINK spacecraft attitude-control failure NASA’s Swift rescue mission is jeopardized as the LINK spacecraft loses two reaction wheels and cold‑gas thruster function, causing an uncontrolled spin; other systems remain healthy and engineers are working a 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-swift-observatory-lift-mission-hampered-as-katalysts-link-spacecraft-spins-out-of-control ### 2026-07-25: NASA launches rescue mission to lift Swift space telescope into higher orbit NASA and Katalyst Space begin a mission to raise the aging Swift telescope’s orbit, preserving its gamma‑ray burst observations. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-lift-swift-space-telescope-into-higher-orbit ### 2026-07-23: NASA to launch Roman Space Telescope and execute Swift satellite rescue in 2026 NASA will launch the Roman Space Telescope in August 2026 and is rescuing the aging Swift observatory with the private LINK robot, aiming to raise its orbit and restore its instruments. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-to-launch-roman-space-telescope-and-execute-swift-satellite-rescue-in-2026 ### 2026-07-03: Northrop Grumman Pegasus Launch Sends Katalyst LINK to Reboost NASA’s Swift Observatory Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus rocket launched Katalyst Space’s LINK on July 3 2026 to rendezvous with and reboost NASA’s aging Swift Observatory, a $30 million high‑risk, high‑reward on‑orbit servicing mission. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/northrop-grumman-pegasus-launch-sends-katalyst-link-to-reboost-nasas-swift-observatory ### 2026-07-03: NASA launches Swift telescope rescue mission from Marshall Islands NASA’s $30 M Swift Boost mission launched from the Marshall Islands to capture and raise the aging Swift telescope, preventing its burn‑up by October 2026. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-swift-telescope-rescue-mission-launches-via-robotic-spacecraft ### 2026-07-03: NASA Launches Swift Telescope Rescue Mission NASA’s $30 M Swift telescope rescue, using Katalyst’s three‑armed Link spacecraft launched from a Pegasus XL over the Marshall Islands, aims to lift the aging observatory to a higher orbit and extend its life. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-swift-telescope-rescue-mission-launched-by-katalyst-spacecraft ### 2026-07-02: NASA's Swift Observatory Rescue Mission Delayed by Launch Problems NASA’s Swift Observatory rescue using Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft faces indefinite delay after weather and a Pegasus XL launch anomaly halt multiple attempts. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-save-swift-space-telescope-2 ### 2026-06-30: NASA advances autonomous robot rescue for Swift telescope and tests cryocoupler refueling tech NASA plans a $30 M autonomous robot mission to lift the Swift telescope to a safe orbit and is testing L3Harris's cryocoupler for future space refueling. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-advances-autonomous-robot-rescue-for-swift-telescope-and-tests-cryocoupler-refueling-tech ### 2026-06-30: NASA launches rescue mission to extend life of $500‑million Swift telescope NASA is sending Katalyst Space’s robotic LINK spacecraft on a Pegasus XL launch to capture the $500 million Swift telescope, raise its orbit and avoid uncontrolled re‑entry, marking the first commercial docking 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-extend-life-of-500million-swift-telescope ### 2026-06-30: NASA launches robotic mission to lift Swift space telescope NASA’s $30 M Swift rescue uses Katalyst’s robot Link, launched by Pegasus, to lift the telescope’s orbit and extend its life, marking the first US satellite‑servicing mission. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-link-mission-to-rescue-swift-telescope ### 2026-06-28: NASA launches $30 million rescue mission to lift Swift telescope from decaying orbit NASA hired Katalyst Space to launch the robotic LINK spacecraft via Pegasus, aiming to raise the Swift telescope’s orbit after solar activity threatened its re‑entry, with a $30 million, month‑plus mission. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-30-million-rescue-mission-to-lift-swift-telescope-from-decaying-orbit ### 2026-06-28: NASA launches rescue mission to boost Swift space telescope NASA will launch a $30 million robotic mission from the Marshall Islands to capture and boost the orbit of the Swift space telescope, extending its gamma‑ray burst research. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-boost-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-06-28: NASA deploys Katalyst Space robot to rescue Swift telescope NASA has hired Katalyst Space to test a robotic spacecraft and launch a $30 million mission that will capture and lift the Swift telescope to a higher orbit, prolonging its scientific use. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-deploys-katalyst-space-robot-to-rescue-swift-telescope ### 2026-06-28: NASA launches $30 million robotic mission to save Swift telescope NASA is spending $30 million on a robotic rescue using Katalyst’s Link spacecraft, launching from the Marshall Islands to raise the Swift telescope’s orbit from ~360 km to ~600 km before October, aiming to keep 28 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-robotic-mission-to-lift-swift-telescope-into-higher-orbit ### 2026-06-27: NASA delays Starliner test flight and plans Swift satellite rescue NASA postpones the crewed Starliner test flight after a Category A accident and initiates a $30 million rescue mission to rescue the Swift satellite from geomagnetic‑storm‑induced decay. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-delays-starliner-test-flight-and-plans-swift-satellite-rescue ### 2026-06-26: NASA launches Swift Observatory boost mission to raise satellite orbit NASA, with Katalyst Space and Northrop Grumman, will launch the LINK satellite on June 30 to boost the Swift Observatory’s orbit, averting re‑entry and showcasing on‑orbit servicing. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-swift-observatory-boost-mission-to-raise-satellite-orbit ### 2026-06-26: NASA launches rescue mission to save Swift space telescope NASA is sending the Link spacecraft on a Pegasus launch to lift the aging Swift telescope to a higher orbit, aiming to extend its gamma‑ray burst observations despite the mission’s high technical risk. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-save-swift-space-telescope-1 ### 2026-06-24: NASA Launches Risky Rescue Mission to Save Swift Space Telescope NASA plans a one‑off rescue of the aging Swift telescope using the Link spacecraft, aiming to boost its orbit and extend its science life by up to five years. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-for-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-06-23: Katalyst Space to Attempt First Robotic Rescue of NASA's Swift Telescope NASA and Katalyst Space will launch the robotic LINK spacecraft to capture and raise the Swift telescope, aiming to extend its life and demonstrate the first on‑orbit satellite rescue. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katalyst-space-to-attempt-first-robotic-rescue-of-nasas-swift-telescope ### 2026-06-22: NASA launches robotic rescue mission to save Swift space telescope NASA's LINK robotic spacecraft will try to capture the aging Swift telescope and boost its orbit, aiming to extend its life by five years before it risks atmospheric re‑entry. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-robotic-rescue-mission-to-save-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-06-22: NASA and Katalyst Space launch Swift telescope rescue mission NASA and Katalyst Space are launching a rescue mission to lift the Swift gamma‑ray telescope to a higher orbit, marking a first in on‑orbit satellite servicing. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-katalyst-space-launch-swift-telescope-rescue-mission ### 2026-06-22: NASA launches rescue mission to save Swift space telescope NASA, Katalyst Space and Northrop Grumman will launch the LINK robot on a Pegasus XL rocket to rendezvous with the aging Swift observatory, boost it back to a stable orbit and extend its science mission. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-launches-rescue-mission-to-save-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-06-20: NASA's Swift Boost Mission to Rescue Falling Space Telescope NASA will launch the Swift Boost mission on June 27, deploying the LINK spacecraft to dock with the decaying Swift telescope, raise its orbit and extend its life by at least five years. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasas-swift-boost-mission-to-rescue-falling-space-telescope ### 2026-06-18: NASA and Northrop Grumman plan first robotic rescue of Swift space telescope NASA and Northrop Grumman will launch a robotic mission in 2026 to capture and boost the aging Swift telescope, marking the first commercial rescue of a U.S. satellite and spurring changes in space‑debris risk‑ 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-and-northrop-grumman-plan-first-robotic-rescue-of-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-06-05: Katalyst LINK spacecraft arrives at NASA Wallops for Swift rescue Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft reached NASA Wallops to boost the Swift observatory, whose altitude loss from solar‑driven atmospheric drag prompts a rescue launch from the Marshall Islands. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/katalyst-link-spacecraft-arrives-at-nasa-wallops-for-swift-rescue ### 2026-05-29: NASA to launch rescue mission for aging Swift space telescope NASA will use Katalyst Space Technologies' LINK vehicle to boost the Swift telescope to a higher orbit in May, averting its likely re‑entry by 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-to-launch-rescue-mission-for-aging-swift-space-telescope ### 2026-05-27: NASA to launch robotic mission to rescue Swift space telescope NASA will launch the LINK robotic spacecraft in June to grab and lift the Swift telescope, preventing its premature re‑entry as atmospheric drag rises from solar activity. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nasa-to-launch-robotic-mission-to-rescue-swift-space-telescope --- Cite as: NASA Cancels Swift Observatory Rescue Mission. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/northrop-grummans-mission-robotic-vehicle-prepares-for-a-summer-2026-launch-to-demonstrate-satellite