Katalyst Space Technologies launched its Link satellite via a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket to rescue NASA's Swift satellite, which is at risk of falling out of orbit. This marks the first mission of its kind, demonstrating a commercial capability for in-space servicing.
Katalyst Space Technologies successfully launched its Link satellite via a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket to rescue NASA's Swift satellite, which is at risk of falling out of orbit. This marks the first mission of its kind, aiming to boost Swift's altitude using robotic arms.
Il veicolo spaziale privato Link, commissionato dalla NASA, ha raggiunto l'orbita e stabilito comunicazioni con la Terra. Il suo compito è agganciare roboticamente il telescopio Swift e portarlo a un'altitudine maggiore per evitarne il rientro incontrollato, segnando un primato per un veicolo privato.
NASA has partnered with Katalyst Space Technologies to prevent the Swift Observatory, launched in 2004, from burning up in Earth's atmosphere due to recent solar storms lowering its orbit. Katalyst's Link spacecraft launched Friday to boost Swift's orbit by approximately 150 miles.
NASA is launching a $30M mission to rescue its aging Swift Observatory, using a robotic spacecraft 'Lift' to reposition it into a higher orbit, preventing its descent into Earth's atmosphere and extending its study of cosmic explosions.
