Reaction wheel failures leave Swift rescue mission spinning in orbit

NASA’s Swift rescue mission has been delayed after Katalyst’s Link spacecraft developed reaction wheel problems soon after launch.

The spacecraft remains powered and in contact with Earth, and engineers are working to stabilize it and revise its guidance plan.

Any attempt to rendezvous with and capture the Swift telescope will wait until Link is fully recovered.

NASA sees the effort as both a way to extend Swift’s life and a test case for commercial satellite servicing.