NASA’s 880-Pound LINK Spacecraft Spins Out of Control, Threatening Swift Rescue
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 6
NASA’s 880-Pound LINK Spacecraft Spins Out of Control, Threatening Swift Rescue
3 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Aug 6
Summary
Sporadic contact with LINK has left NASA’s Swift Boost Mission at risk after the commercial spacecraft suffered mechanical problems and began spinning uncontrollably in orbit.
Katalyst Space is trying to slow the spin with electric-thruster burns, and NASA said potential paths remain for LINK to approach Swift by the end of August if stabilization succeeds.
Swift, launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, is losing altitude in low-Earth orbit faster than expected because stronger solar activity since fall 2024 has increased atmospheric drag.
The $30 million mission aims to let LINK capture the fixture-less telescope with a custom robotic mechanism and raise it to about 370 miles, extending operations by several years instead of letting it burn up later in 2026.