NASA has awarded a rapid-response contract to startup Katalyst Space Technologies to perform an unprecedented satellite rescue mission. The objective is to build and launch a servicing spacecraft within 10 months to save the $500 million Swift observatory, which is at risk of crashing back to Earth.
A Race Against Time
The initiative began in August of last year when NASA approached companies with the challenge of developing a novel solution for satellite retrieval or servicing on an accelerated timeline and budget. Katalyst Space Technologies, founded in 2020, presented a plan that NASA’s director of astrophysics, Shawn Domagal-Goldman, described as technically and programmatically plausible. In September, NASA awarded Katalyst a $30 million contract to develop, test, and deploy a small satellite.
This servicing spacecraft, named Link, is designed to intercept the Swift observatory, attach itself using three robotic arms, and then boost Swift’s orbit back to a safe altitude. This maneuver would allow the observatory to continue its scientific operations.
Swift Observatory’s Orbital Decay
The Swift observatory, launched in November 2004, operates in low-Earth orbit. Its mission is to detect gamma-ray bursts, the universe’s most powerful explosions. Despite its age, astrophysicists continue to rely on Swift’s multi-wavelength instruments for identifying and locating these bursts, enabling follow-up observations by other telescopes.
However, Swift lacks onboard thrusters to maintain its altitude. Consequently, aerodynamic drag from the Earth’s upper atmosphere has caused its orbit to gradually decay. Swift initially launched into an orbit approximately 363 miles (585 km) above Earth. As of Thursday, its altitude had decreased to 225 miles (363 km). This orbital decay rate is expected to accelerate as Swift descends into denser atmospheric layers, ultimately leading to its burn-up during reentry.
Norman Pearlstine is the Chief Editor of News Raise and focuses on Business news. His responsibility is to oversee the editorial content including business, commodities, personal investments and the stock market.
