Katalyst's satellite rescue mission is now in pursuit of NASA's Swift
Summary
Katalyst Space Technologies launched a special satellite called Link to catch and boost NASA's Swift satellite, which is in danger of falling from orbit. This is the first mission designed to save a satellite by attaching to it and moving it to a safer orbit.Key Facts
- NASA asked companies to propose quick plans to save the Swift satellite less than a year ago.
- Katalyst won a contract last September to build and launch the rescue mission.
- The Link satellite weighed nearly half a ton and was launched from a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket.
- The Pegasus rocket was air-launched from an aircraft over the Pacific Ocean near the Marshall Islands.
- The goal is for Link to approach Swift, grab it with robotic arms, and use thrusters to move it to a higher orbit.
- Swift’s orbit is tilted 20.6 degrees to the equator, so a special launch location was chosen to reach it efficiently.
- This mission is the first time Katalyst flew this version of Link, which includes cameras, sensors, and robotic arms.
- Engineers are cautious because Swift was not made to dock with another satellite, and its condition is uncertain.
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