Katalyst's three-armed spacecraft Link reentered on Friday, closing a 30 million dollar NASA attempt to raise the 22-year-old Swift observatory. Link had closed to 12 to 15 km and taken pictures before the rescue was dropped for lack of fuel. Swift itself may reenter in November.
Katalyst's three-armed spacecraft Link reentered on Friday after the attempt to raise NASA's Swift observatory. The 85-day flight closed a 30 million dollar NASA contract. Swift itself is expected to reenter in early November as its orbit sinks. NASA's Shawn Domagal-Goldman said the boost effort was worthwhile either way, because it gave teams practice for later rescue missions.[1], [2]
Link lifted off from Kwajalein on 3 July. Reaction wheels are spinning wheels that point a spacecraft without burning fuel. Two of its three reaction wheels failed, and a bad valve sent the craft into a fast spin and disrupted communication. Engineers regained control, but Link did not have enough fuel left, and the rescue was called off in August. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has watched gamma-ray bursts for 22 years.[1], [2]
Before the rescue was dropped, flight controllers brought Link to within 12 to 15 kilometres of Swift, close enough to take pictures. Katalyst used the remaining weeks to practise moving the robot arms. Each arm was about 1 metre long, with a gripper on the end. Swift is back to scanning for the month or so it has left.[1], [2]
