NASA's Swift gamma-ray telescope rescue mission is in jeopardy after the Link satellite developed by Katalyst Space Technologies experienced attitude control failures. Two of Link's three reaction wheels are inoperable and its cold gas thruster system has partial failures, causing the spacecraft to spin and disrupting communications. The team is now attempting to use the electric thrusters — originally intended only for orbit raising — to stabilize the spacecraft. Without a successful rescue, the 22-year-old Swift observatory will reenter Earth's atmosphere and burn up within months. NASA is paying Katalyst $30 million for the servicing mission.
5 Impressions