NASA, Katalyst call off SWIFT rescue mission over issues with rescue craft in space

A spacecraft built by space startup Katalyst Space that will tow NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory into a higher orbit awaits encapsulation aboard a Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, U.S. June 8, 2026. REUTERS/NASA/Ron Beard

WASHINGTON, Aug ⁠19 (Reuters) - A mission ⁠to rescue NASA's aging ‌SWIFT observatory in space was canceled on Wednesday after ​the spacecraft that ⁠had been ⁠deployed to raise the telescope's ⁠orbit ‌suffered irredeemable technical issues ⁠in orbit, the rescue craft's ​owner ‌Katalyst Space said.

"Following continued ⁠monitoring ​and assessment of the LINK spacecraft, Katalyst ⁠Space and NASA together ​have concluded that due to ongoing attitude control ⁠issues, the mission will not include the capture and boost of ​NASA’s ⁠Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory," ​Katalyst said in ‌a statement.

(Reporting by ​Joey Roulette; Editing by Chris Reese)