A robotic spacecraft has reentered Earth’s atmosphere after technical problems ended NASA’s $30 million attempt to extend the life of its Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.
Katalyst Space Technologies announced that its LINK spacecraft reentered on September 25. Swift itself remains in orbit and has resumed scientific observations.
NASA awarded Katalyst the $30 million contract in September 2025. LINK launched July 3 with the goal of approaching Swift, capturing the aging observatory with three robotic arms and moving it into a higher orbit.
Technical problems halted rescue
An electrical power system fault disabled two of LINK’s three reaction wheels, which orient the spacecraft. LINK also entered a spin that temporarily disrupted communications, according to Katalyst.
Engineers restored limited control using thrusters and the remaining reaction wheel. But the recovery consumed propellant LINK needed to safely capture Swift and raise its orbit.
NASA and Katalyst announced August 19 that they would abandon the capture and boost attempt while continuing tests of LINK’s satellite-servicing capabilities.
In-orbit tests continued
Although LINK never captured Swift, Katalyst said the spacecraft approached within roughly 7 to 9 miles of the observatory and tested its three robotic arms. The company operated LINK in orbit for 85 days.
“From the beginning, this was a high-risk, high-reward mission,” NASA astrophysics division director Shawn Domagal-Goldman said in Katalyst’s announcement.
NASA officials said the effort advanced satellite-servicing technology despite the failed boost. Katalyst said it plans to apply the lessons to its next generation of robotic spacecraft.
Swift’s remaining time is shrinking
Swift launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts and other short-lived cosmic events. It outlasted its planned two-year primary mission by nearly two decades.
Increased solar activity expanded Earth’s upper atmosphere and accelerated drag on Swift, prompting NASA to pursue the rescue attempt. Controllers curtailed observations earlier this year to slow its descent.
Swift resumed data collection in August. NASA reported September 25 that all three science instruments had returned to use and the observatory had resumed automatically pointing toward new high-energy flashes.
NASA estimated Swift would descend below about 185 miles in early to mid-October, when operations become more difficult and science observations will likely cease. The agency expects the observatory to reenter later this year.
