NASA launches robotic servicing mission to rescue ageing Swift telescope in orbit
By
Darrelle Ng
Summary
A robotic servicing spacecraft called LINK, built by Katalyst Space Technologies, has launched aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket to rescue NASA's ageing Swift Observatory. The mission will test in-orbit satellite servicing capabilities by using robotic arms to latch onto the telescope and raise it into a higher orbit, potentially extending its operational life by years. This closely watched test could transform how satellites are serviced in space.
Source
bskyNASA launches robotic servicing mission to rescue ageing Swift telescope in orbitchannelnewsasia.comKey quotes
· 2 pulledA first-of-its-kind mission to rescue NASA's ageing Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is underway after a robotic servicing spacecraft launched from the South Pacific on Friday (Jul 3), in a closely watched test that could transform how satellites are serviced in orbit.
The spacecraft will spend the next two months gradually catching up with the Swift telescope before using its robotic arms to latch onto the observatory and gently raise it into a higher orbit, potentially extending its operational life by years.
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