Private spacecraft "Link" to launch next month in mission to boost NASA's aging Swift Observatory orbit
By
Mike Wall
Sesame, salt, and substance. A flagship bake.
Summary
NASA's aging Swift Observatory, launched in 2004 to detect gamma-ray bursts, is being pulled down by atmospheric drag at an increasing rate. A private spacecraft called "Link" is scheduled to launch late next month on a rescue mission to boost the telescope's orbit and extend its operational life. The mission faces the challenge of first locating and rendezvousing with Swift in low Earth orbit before attempting the orbital boost.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledIt's getting to be crunch time for a groundbreaking satellite-rescue mission.
Swift is still working just fine. But atmospheric drag is pulling it down at an ever-increasing rate.
These predictions evolve over time, based on space weather forecasts and other factors like Swift's current height and orientation.
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