NASA Swift telescope rescue: a daring orbital first
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NASA is paying Katalyst Space Technologies $30 million to rescue the Swift space telescope, which is losing altitude due to increased atmospheric drag from solar activity. Katalyst's autonomous spacecraft 'Link' — roughly fridge-sized with a 12-metre solar wingspan and three robotic arms — will launch on a Pegasus rocket, chase down the 1.4-tonne observatory (which has no docking port), grab it, and boost its orbit from ~360km to ~600km. The mission is a first for the US and could validate an emerging industry of orbital satellite servicing, refueling, and debris removal. If successful, Swift could resume science operations by September, and a larger follow-up robot may eventually service Hubble around 2028.
