The robot NASA hired to lift an orbital telescope is tumbling out of control

A Katalyst Space LINK spacecraft launched for NASA’s Swift observatory rescue is now tumbling after a control failure.

Two reaction wheels failed, and a thruster problem followed, leaving the vehicle spinning out of control.

Mission controllers are trying to recover the craft using alternate thrusters.

The mission is a first-of-its-kind commercial attempt to raise a NASA telescope’s orbit, so the failure could delay or threaten the rescue.