LINK stopped 12–15 kilometres short of Swift; the planned boost never happened
Katalyst Space's servicing craft LINK reached a point 12–15 kilometres from NASA's Swift observatory during a troubled mission, without proceeding to capture or orbit raising. All three robotic arms and all three electric thrusters were exercised in flight. Two Swift science instruments are operating again, while both spacecraft continue descending.
Science··Midday
The close pass stopped before servicing
Katalyst Space developed LINK to grasp NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory with robotic arms and move it to a higher orbit. The craft entered the target's orbital plane, began proximity operations and reached a point 12–15 kilometres away. The approach ended there: the vehicles made no contact, the observatory was not captured, and no boost was performed. LINK therefore demonstrated flight near its target without reaching the servicing step that would alter Swift's altitude.[1]
Arms and thrusters were exercised in flight
Roughly three weeks after its 3 July launch, LINK lost attitude control and started spinning. The team restored stable flight with software changes and thruster manoeuvres. Later tests opened each of the craft's three robotic arms and operated its three xenon electric thrusters at the same time. These were hardware demonstrations conducted without contact with another satellite. Katalyst and NASA are using the remaining flight period to collect data on equipment and procedures for in-orbit servicing.[1]
Time is narrowing for both spacecraft
Swift launched in November 2004 and has observed gamma-ray bursts and other transient events for more than 20 years. Solar activity is elevated, the upper atmosphere is extended and orbital drag is strong; the observatory's altitude is declining faster than anticipated. Of three science instruments shut down in February, the X-ray Telescope and Ultraviolet/Optical Telescope resumed operation in late August. Space.com reports estimated re-entry before year-end for Swift without a new boost and within weeks for LINK. Those timing estimates may shift with orbital conditions.[1]
