Commercial rescue spacecraft photographs NASA's Swift telescope after failed salvage attempt

The short version

• Katalyst Space Technologies' Link spacecraft closed within 15 kilometers (9 miles) of the Swift Observatory and captured photos, despite the rescue being canceled in August.
• A spin issue following Link's July launch depleted the fuel needed to boost Swift to a higher orbit, leaving the $30 million NASA-funded mission unable to avert the telescope's demise.
• Swift, which has been in orbit since 2004, is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere between October and the end of the year due to orbital degradation from solar storms.
• Link will conduct robotic arm tests before burning up in the atmosphere within the next month, as Katalyst prepares next-generation servicing craft.

Key facts

• The Link spacecraft approached within 15 kilometers (9 miles) of the Swift Observatory to gather sensor data and photograph the telescope.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• NASA funded the experimental salvage attempt with a $30 million contract to Katalyst Space Technologies.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• Link encountered an uncontrollable spin shortly after its July launch, consuming the propellant required to boost Swift's orbit during recovery operations.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• NASA estimates that the Swift Observatory will fall back into Earth's atmosphere between October and the end of the year because of orbital drag induced by solar storms.[Associated Press · ABC News]
• Katalyst CEO Ghonhee Lee attributed the spacecraft's mechanical problems to a nine-month development rush that necessitated using readily available rather than optimal parts.[Associated Press · ABC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Rescue satellite gets close to NASA's doomed telescope, even if it can't save itABC News - Technology
• Rescue satellite gets close to NASA’s doomed telescope, even if it can’t save itAssociated Press