EQUIPThe Verge · 1h ago
NASA gives up on trying to rescue the Swift telescope
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NASA and Katalyst Space have canceled plans to boost the Swift Observatory satellite to a higher altitude following mechanical failures. The Link spacecraft will instead conduct alternative proximity maneuvers as the telescope remains on course to re-enter Earth's atmosphere.
- 01Mission cancellation follows persistent attitude control issues preventing a successful orbital boost
- 02Katalyst Space will pivot to rendezvous and proximity operations instead of a rescue mission
- 03The Swift telescope is now expected to fall into Earth's atmosphere without intervention
- 04NASA has officially ceased efforts to relocate the satellite to a stable higher orbit
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Plans to rescue NASA's Swift Observatory satellite from falling into Earth's atmosphere are seemingly dead in the water. The agency and Katalyst Space announced yesterday that the Link spacecraft will no longer capture or boost the Swift telescope to a higher altitude due to an ongoing "attitude control issue," but will instead conduct rendezvous and […]