The robot NASA hired to lift a orbital telescope is tumbling out of control
A Katalyst Space robot called LINK, launched to raise the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit, has begun tumbling uncontrollably after two of its three reaction wheels failed and a thruster problem emerged. NASA and Katalyst are attempting to stabilize the spacecraft by firing remaining thrusters to slow the spin. This mission marks NASA’s first use of a private company to lift one of its observatories for extended service life.
- ▪The LINK spacecraft was launched on July 3 aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket to rendezvous with the Swift telescope.
- ▪Two of the three reaction wheels that control the spacecraft’s orientation have failed, and one thruster system is malfunctioning.
- ▪Flight controllers have started a series of thruster burns to reduce the spin and regain control of the spacecraft.
- ▪The mission is the first instance of NASA hiring a private firm to lift an observatory to a higher orbit, extending its operational lifespan.
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| Publication time | Tue, 28 Jul 2026 19:07:31 +0000 |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
A Katalyst Space robot launched to grab onto a space telescope and raise it to a higher orbit is now tumbling out of control, NASA and the company said today. The mission is the first time the space agency has hired a private company to lift one of its observatories to a higher orbit, allowing the observatory to continue operations beyond its expected lifespan. The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory was launched in 2004, with the ability to swiftly point at ephemeral space events like gamma ray bursts. The spacecraft has been pulled back toward Earth, and needs to be pushed back up to a higher orbit to continue doing its job. The LINK spacecraft was launched into space on July 3 onboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus rocket.
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