Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit

NASA's mission to extend the operational life of the Swift observatory has hit a technical snag. The Link satellite, developed by Katalyst to raise Swift's orbit, is experiencing problems with its reaction wheels—devices that control the spacecraft's orientation.

NASA selected Katalyst not only to prolong Swift's science mission but also as a technology demonstration and a test of the commercial satellite servicing industry. With Swift's orbit rapidly decaying, NASA gave Katalyst nine months to build and launch Link, an unusually tight timeline for such a complex endeavor. The company met the challenge, delivering Link for integration with the Pegasus rocket in early June. Poor weather and a rocket technical glitch delayed the launch until July 3.

Despite the reaction wheel failures, Link is still generating sufficient power and communicating with ground teams. This gives engineers time to devise a plan to fix the issue. Katalyst's principal investigator, Kieran Wilson, had anticipated such a scenario before launch, noting that previous programs faced power and communication problems, but as long as the spacecraft functions at a basic level, the team can resolve any difficulties that arise during rendezvous and dynamic operations.

NASA stated that after reestablishing stable attitude and further investigating spacecraft status, Katalyst plans to update Link's guidance, navigation, and control systems to accommodate the new configuration. Working closely with NASA, they will assess revised plans for approaching and capturing Swift, depending on approach safety and Link's health. NASA officials had already deemed the mission a success simply for attempting it.