'We are not giving up yet': Private mission to rescue NASA's Swift telescope is spinning out of control, and engineers are racing to fix it

A private mission to save a NASA telescope is currently struggling in orbit. The LINK spacecraft, built by Katalyst Space, was launched in early July to boost the altitude of the 22-year-old Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory before it reenters Earth's atmosphere this autumn.

Shortly after launch, the LINK spacecraft began spinning unexpectedly due to power issues affecting two of its three reaction control system wheels. This technical failure forced ground teams to delay the planned rendezvous with the telescope. Engineers report that they have successfully reduced the rotation rate from nine degrees per second down to four degrees per second through careful firing of the spacecraft engines.

NASA and Katalyst representatives confirm that the rescue operation is still active. The LINK spacecraft maintains power and continues to communicate with mission control. The primary goal remains the same: to refuel and reboost the aging Swift observatory, which remains a key tool for detecting gamma-ray bursts and monitoring stellar changes across the cosmos.

While the original rendezvous schedule was set for early August, officials now anticipate that the mission will not reach the telescope until at least late August. The success of this operation depends on keeping Swift above a minimum rescue altitude of 185 miles. Teams are currently evaluating revised plans to approach the telescope once the LINK spacecraft stabilizes.

This $30 million mission represents a significant effort to extend the life of existing space assets. NASA emphasizes that despite the current technical hurdles, they are not abandoning the mission, which remains a high-potential project for future satellite servicing and repair capabilities.