The Spacecraft That Could Not Save Swift Flew Within 15 Kilometres of It
Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft flew to within 12 to 15 kilometers of NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory last week, carrying out proximity and hardware tests that remained after the reboost mission was abandoned in August, NASA reported Sept. 4.
Katalyst built LINK as a robotic servicing vehicle intended to raise Swift's orbit and extend the observatory's life. NASA and Katalyst announced on Aug. 19 that attitude-control problems with LINK had forced them to drop the capture and boost attempt, with Swift expected to re-enter later in 2026. The proximity work was what remained.
In the days before the Sept. 4 post, Katalyst raised LINK's orbit and adjusted it to align with Swift's, NASA said. The team deployed all three of LINK's robotic arms and fired all three of its xenon-fueled electric thrusters simultaneously. An image of that firing, released by Katalyst, is dated Aug. 30. LINK then closed to between 7.5 and 9 miles (12 to 15 kilometers) of Swift, and will make no closer approach for the rest of its time in orbit.
The Katalyst team estimates LINK will deorbit within two to three weeks, according to NASA. The agency described the remaining work as collecting data to inform future spacecraft servicing technology and operations.
Swift itself is still operating. The observatory restarted science observations on Aug. 28.
