Katalyst Space Technologies has successfully reduced the spin of its Link spacecraft, a critical step in recovering a $30 million mission to save a NASA observatory. According to the company, engineers used one of the spacecraft’s electric propulsion thrusters to slow a multi-axis spin
from approximately 9 degrees per second to 1.47 degrees per second. The recovery process consumed less than 100 grams of propellant, which the company stated was done to conserve fuel for later phases of the mission.
Technical Failures and Recovery Efforts
The Link spacecraft, launched on July 3 on a Pegasus rocket, encountered technical issues during post-launch commissioning that resulted in a loss of attitude control on July 28. This instability caused sporadic communications and prevented the spacecraft from progressing toward its target. A preliminary investigation by Spacenews revealed that two of the spacecraft’s three reaction wheels are inoperable and its reaction control system (RCS) thrusters are only partially working.
Despite these failures, other major subsystems are functioning as expected, and the spacecraft remains power positive. To restore full control, Katalyst plans to upload a significant flight software update
in the coming days. This update will include new attitude controllers designed to accommodate the spacecraft’s current configuration, allowing engineers to perform the phasing maneuvers necessary to align Link’s orbit with its target.
The Mission to Save Swift
The primary objective of the Link spacecraft is to rendezvous with, grapple, and boost the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. Launched in 2004, the 22-year-old observatory is an astrophysics tool capable of observing cosmic objects in gamma-ray, X-ray, ultraviolet, and visible light. Because Swift lacks its own propulsion system to maintain its orbit, it is subject to atmospheric drag, an effect recently magnified by solar storms.
The stakes for the mission are high; without the boost from Link, Swift is expected to deorbit late this year or early next year. To be successful, the reboost must begin before the observatory drops below an altitude of approximately 300 kilometers. As of Aug. 9, Swift’s altitude was just below 350 kilometers.
Operational Plan and Timeline
Once the software update restores attitude control, Link will attempt to reach Swift in late August, which is a few weeks later than the original schedule. The spacecraft is equipped with three robotic arms to grapple the observatory. Once captured, Link will use its thrusters—powered by approximately 130 pounds (60 kg) of xenon gas—to gradually raise Swift back to near its original orbit of 370 miles (600 km) over several months.
Following the completion of the boost, Link is scheduled to detach from the observatory and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. This mission represents the first attempt by theregister.com to grapple another satellite and boost its orbit, a process NASA has acknowledged is high-risk but beneficial to the broader space industry.
Mission Status Summary
| Metric/Status | Detail |
|---|---|
| Initial Spin Rate | ~9 degrees per second |
| Current Spin Rate | 1.47 degrees per second |
| Hardware Status | 1 of 3 reaction wheels operable; partial RCS functionality |
| Fuel Used for Recovery | Less than 100 grams |
| Target Altitude Threshold | 300 kilometers |
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