NASA launches final Pegasus XL rocket to send LINK spacecraft on mission to boost Swift telescope into stable orbit
By
Josh Dinner
Summary
NASA has launched the LINK spacecraft (built by Katalyst Space Technologies) aboard the final flight of a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket on a rescue mission to save the aging Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. The Swift telescope, which has been operating for years, is gradually losing altitude and risks burning up in Earth's atmosphere. LINK will rendezvous with Swift and tow it to a higher, stable orbit, extending its operational life and preventing its destruction.
Source
bskyNASA launches final Pegasus XL rocket to send LINK spacecraft on mission to boost Swift telescope into stable orbitspace.comKey quotes
· 3 pulledThe Swift Boost mission successfully launched the LINK satellite, built by Arizona-based Katalyst Space Technologies, on Friday (July 3) at 4:36 a.m. EDT (0836 GMT), according to NASA.
LINK will rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and tow it to a stable orbit, saving it from impending destruction as its trajectory dips farther into the atmosphere.
An air-launched Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket has flown for the very last time, sending a private spacecraft on a rescue mission to save one of NASA's most iconic space telescopes from falling back to Earth.
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