NASA Previews June LINK Mission to Raise 21-Year-Old Swift Observatory Orbit
Updated
Updated · NASA · Jun 11
NASA Previews June LINK Mission to Raise 21-Year-Old Swift Observatory Orbit
3 articles · Updated · NASA · Jun 11
Summary
June 17 will bring a NASA media briefing on Katalyst Space’s LINK mission, which is set to rendezvous with the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and lift it to a higher orbit.
21 years after Swift launched in 2004, NASA says increased solar activity has accelerated the telescope’s orbital decay, making a boost necessary to extend its science life.
Later this month, LINK is slated to launch on Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands for the robotic servicing attempt.
September 2025 marked NASA’s contract award to Katalyst to execute the mission in under a year, using Swift’s case to demonstrate in-orbit servicing technology for future exploration.