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NASA's Swift Observatory Rescue Mission Advances with Successful Testing

NASA's Swift Observatory Rescue Mission Advances with Successful Testing

First seen 11 May 2026, 20:58 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •May 12, 2026 at 20:17 UTC
  • •Katalyst's LINK spacecraft completed critical environmental tests at NASA Goddard.
  • •The Swift Observatory's orbit is decaying rapidly, necessitating immediate action.
  • •The launch of the LINK spacecraft is scheduled for June 2026 to save Swift.

NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is at risk of re-entering the atmosphere due to a decaying orbit. Katalyst Space Technologies has completed environmental tests of its LINK robotic spacecraft at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, crucial for the upcoming mission to boost Swift's orbit. The mission was initiated after Swift's orbit began to decline faster than expected, prompting NASA to contract Katalyst in September 2025. The LINK spacecraft has undergone vibration and thermal-vacuum testing, simulating launch conditions and space environments. The launch is scheduled for June 2026, with integration into a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket planned for early June. Swift's mission director emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that without intervention, the observatory could re-enter the atmosphere later this year.

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Timeline

2025-08-01
NASA seeks industry solutions for Swift's orbit decay
NASA requested proposals from US industry to address the rapidly decaying orbit of the Swift Observatory.
Theregister
2025-09-01
NASA contracts Katalyst for Swift rescue mission
Katalyst Space Technologies was awarded a contract to design and launch a spacecraft to boost Swift's orbit.
science.nasa.gov
2026-02-01
NASA halts science operations on Swift
NASA ended most science operations aboard Swift to prolong its operational life for the rescue mission.
Theregister
2026-05-04
Katalyst completes environmental testing of LINK
Katalyst successfully finished environmental tests for the LINK spacecraft at NASA Goddard, crucial for the rescue mission.
science.nasa.gov
2026-06-01
Integration of LINK into Pegasus rocket scheduled
Northrop Grumman will integrate the LINK spacecraft into its Pegasus rocket at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.
science.nasa.gov

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