Here's how engineers plan to save the satellite sent to save NASA's Swift mission
Summary
A small satellite named Link, launched to help fix NASA’s Swift gamma-ray observatory, started spinning out of control in space. Engineers from Katalyst Space Technologies are using the satellite’s electric thrusters to slow the spin and regain control to complete their mission.Key Facts
- The Link satellite is about the size of a refrigerator and was launched to rescue NASA’s $500 million Swift observatory.
- Link lost control and started spinning on multiple axes, making communication and control difficult.
- Two of the satellite’s three reaction wheels, which help point it, stopped working.
- There was also a problem with some of its cold gas thrusters used for fine control.
- Katalyst Space Technologies, a private company, has a $30 million contract with NASA to service the Swift satellite.
- The rescue mission must happen soon because Swift is lowering in orbit and will burn up if not boosted.
- Engineers use the satellite’s xenon-fueled electric thrusters, normally used to raise orbit, to slow down the spin by pushing against the direction of rotation.
- So far, the spin rate has been cut in half, improving communication and control efforts.
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