What Happened
Agency Adjusts Plans Due To Spacecraft Attitude Control Issues
NASA has updated its plans for the Commercial Swift Boost mission due to an ongoing attitude control issue affecting the LINK spacecraft. Despite this setback, the agency will still attempt rendezvous and proximity operations with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to demonstrate capabilities relevant to future satellite servicing missions. The mission was initially intended to boost the Swift Observatory to a higher altitude, but NASA now anticipates the spacecraft will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere later this year. The agency will continue to prioritize options to respond rapidly to cosmic events, using existing missions to help cover the gap, as reported by Unknown Source.