NASA Swift rescue mission spins into trouble during commissioning

Richard Speed· Jul 29, 2026 · 2:29 PM UTC ·2 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 3 views

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NASA reported some loss of functionality in its cold-gas thruster system as well.LINK remains in contact with its controllers despite the sporadic communications, and its other major subsystems are operating as expected. REG AD googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('labrador/thereg/article/desktop/b'); }); The problems began over the weekend, and the team is using LINK's electric propulsion thrusters to halt the spin. If it can restore a stable attitude, Katalyst will update the guidance, navigation, and control system for the spacecraft's new configuration before considering revised plans to approach and capture Swift.

Key facts

▪NASA reported some loss of functionality in its cold-gas thruster system as well.LINK remains in contact with its controllers despite the sporadic communications, and its other major subsystems are operating as expected.
▪REG AD googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('labrador/thereg/article/desktop/b'); }); The problems began over the weekend, and the team is using LINK's electric propulsion thrusters to halt the spin.
▪If it can restore a stable attitude, Katalyst will update the guidance, navigation, and control system for the spacecraft's new configuration before considering revised plans to approach and capture Swift.

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▪ Private mission to rescue NASA’s aging telescope runs into its own trouble - AP News — Google News

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Canonical URL	https://www.theregister.com/science/2026/07/29/nasa-swift-rescue-mission-spins-into-trouble-during-commissioning/5280425
Publication time	Wed, 29 Jul 2026 16:29:00 +0200
Retrieval time	2026-07-29T14:38:08.435Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

(function() { let windowUrl = window.location.href; windowUrl = windowUrl.substring(windowUrl.indexOf('?') + 1); let messageElement = document.querySelector('.shareableMessage'); if (windowUrl && windowUrl.includes('code') && windowUrl.includes('expires')) { messageElement.style.display = 'block'; } })(); SCIENCE NASA Swift rescue mission spins into trouble during commissioning Two reaction wheels are out and comms sporadic as controllers work to stabilize LINK Richard Speed Richard Speed MICROSOFT ECOSYSTEM REPORTER Published wed 29 Jul 2026 // 15:29 UTC Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft is having some attitude problems on its way to rescue NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, resulting in a multi-axis spin and loss of communications.LINK has three reaction wheels for attitude control,…

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