Katalyst's Link Spacecraft Experiences Technical Issues During Swift Telescope Rescue Mission
On July 3rd, Katalyst launched its Link spacecraft to raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. However, over the past three days, the spacecraft has been in a 'multi-axis spin,' leading to intermittent communication with ground control. Despite this setback, Katalyst claims it has identified the cause and is working on mission recovery. The company remains optimistic that Link still has a viable path to successfully rendezvous with Swift. The situation highlights challenges associated with orbital maneuvering missions aimed at extending satellite lifespans through private-sector collaboration.
Topics: Katalyst NASA satellite rescue space mission