The spacecraft that was going to save a NASA telescope now needs to be saved itself

NASA and Katalyst’s LINK spacecraft, launched July 3, is facing control problems during its attempt to rescue the aging Neil Gehrels Swift telescope.

Two reaction wheels and cold-gas thrusters malfunctioned, sending LINK into an uncontrolled spin and causing intermittent loss of communications.

Mission teams say other systems remain operational and are trying to stabilize the spacecraft using electric thrusters.

The mission is a key test of whether a private spacecraft can safely reposition an aging NASA telescope before it deorbits.