Teams Make Contact With Spacecraft Set to Boost NASA’s Swift

Teams have successfully established communications with Katalyst Space’s robotic servicing spacecraft LINK, which is designed to raise the orbit of NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher altitude.

Making contact with LINK was the spacecraft’s first in-orbit operation, after launch and separation Friday from Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket and power-on.

Over the next several weeks, Katalyst will perform checkout procedures for LINK, including assessments of its propulsion, sensor, and navigation systems.

LINK will then approach Swift and complete a survey of the 21-year-old observatory, before capturing and lifting it over the course of several months.

NASA will provide updates throughout the mission on the agency’s Swift blog.

Learn more about Swift at:

https://science.nasa.gov/mission/swift/swift-boost-mission/