NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced Wednesday they are giving up on a robotic mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope before it falls out of orbit. The rescue satellite, named Link, launched July 3 on a journey to fly up to NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, capture it with three robotic arms, and boost its orbit high enough to escape a looming reentry.
Reported by 3 outlets — Ars Technica, The Verge, New York Post. See all sources ↓
NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced Wednesday they are giving up on a robotic mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope before it falls out of orbit. The rescue satellite, named Link, launched July 3 on a journey to fly up to NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, capture it with three robotic arms, and boost its orbit high enough to escape a looming reentry. Link is about the size of a refrigerator, with two power-generating solar arrays and three xenon-fueled electric thrusters to send Swift into a safer, higher orbit. Katalyst, the startup leading the Swift rescue effort, said Wednesday that "ongoing attitude control issues" will prevent the Link satellite from completing its rescue mission.
Read the full report at Ars Technica ↗
Why it matters
3 outlets are covering this world story — one to watch as reporting develops.
- What's the story?
- NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced Wednesday they are giving up on a robotic mission to rescue the Swift gamma-ray telescope before it falls out of orbit. The rescue satellite, named Link, launched July 3 on a journey to fly up to NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, capture it with three robotic arms, and boost its orbit high enough to escape a looming reentry.
- How widely is it covered?
- 3 outlets, average source rating 6.0/10.
- When was it last updated?
- 10m ago.
How outlets are framing the same story
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- Coverage card3 outlets1CoverageScouting report
Mission to save NASA’s aging Swift space telescope called off after rescue spacecraft loses control
Sources3TypeCoverageArs Technica
The Verge
New York Post