A small satellite designed to extend the life of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory lifted off on 3 July. The mission aims to raise the aging space telescope back to its original orbit after years of atmospheric drag.
The Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory has operated since 2004 but has descended from an initial altitude of 600 kilometres to about 375 kilometres. Solar activity has accelerated the orbital decay in recent years.
Katalyst Space Technologies developed the LINK spacecraft to perform the rescue. The craft, equipped with robotic arms and large solar arrays, launched on a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket.
LINK will undergo several weeks of testing before approaching Swift. It is then expected to attach to the telescope and gradually raise its orbit over approximately two months.
If successful, the operation could allow Swift to continue observations of gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena for up to another decade. Company CEO Ghonhee Lee said the effort demonstrates a method for servicing satellites not originally designed for maintenance.
