A spacecraft tasked with aiding an aging NASA telescope is experiencing issues. Katalyst Space Technologies confirmed that its Link satellite faces thruster problems, causing an uncontrollable spin that disrupts communication. This issue emerged over the weekend, three weeks post-launch.
The company is striving to resolve these problems to enable Link to capture the Swift telescope and elevate it to a higher orbit. If not assisted, Swift could crash back to Earth this fall. NASA has invested $30 million in this rescue project, organized within a year.
Launched in 2004, the Swift telescope’s orbit is deteriorating faster than anticipated due to increased solar activity, necessitating immediate intervention to continue its mission. The telescope is crucial for observing significant cosmic events like gamma-ray bursts and supernovae. Scientific activities are currently suspended until the situation is resolved.
Katalyst Space Technologies and NASA remain optimistic. While communication is affected, the company states that all other key systems of Link are functioning properly.
The mission stays active, and modifications aim to enable Link to meet Swift, according to a statement from Katalyst.
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