NASA's Swift Observatory Rescue Mission Fails, Focus Shifts to Future Servicing Technology
Summary
NASA’s attempt to rescue the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has failed, and the satellite is now likely to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year. The Link spacecraft will instead be used to test future in-space servicing and inspection technology.
Key Points
- NASA has canceled the plan for Link to catch and raise the orbit of the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory after control issues delayed the mission.
- Link will now be used to test satellite inspection, close-proximity operations, and future in-space servicing techniques.
- Swift, which has studied rapid cosmic events for 22 years, is expected to burn up after re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
- NASA and Catalyst Space Technologies say the mission still provides valuable lessons for satellite repair, refueling, and orbit-raising technologies.
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