NASA and Katalyst Space announced Wednesday that the LINK spacecraft will not be able to boost the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher altitude due to an ongoing issue with the spacecraft’s attitude control system. Despite this setback, the mission will still attempt to demonstrate rendezvous and proximity operations.
NASA and Katalyst Space made the announcement on Wednesday regarding the Commercial Swift Boost mission. The original plan involved using the LINK spacecraft to capture NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and then use its propulsion system to move the observatory to a higher orbit, thereby extending its science mission. However, an ongoing issue with the attitude control system of the commercial spacecraft has made this primary objective impossible.
The source states that, despite the inability to perform the orbital boost, the LINK spacecraft will still attempt to conduct rendezvous and proximity operations with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. This suggests that while the initial goal of extending the observatory’s life through a higher orbit is no longer feasible, the mission will still provide valuable data and experience in the area of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM).
This mission represents a collaboration between NASA and a commercial entity, Katalyst Space, highlighting the agency’s increasing reliance on commercial partnerships to achieve its space exploration goals. The attitude control issue underscores the risks inherent in utilizing new and unproven technologies in space, even with careful planning and testing.
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