NASA launches robotic mission to save telescope falling back to Earth
A three-armed spacecraft rockets into orbit to rescue a NASA telescope that’s in danger of crashing back to Earth.
NASA has launched an ambitious robotic mission aimed at preventing one of its ageing space telescopes from burning up in Earth’s atmosphere, marking a major milestone in satellite servicing technology.
The Link spacecraft, developed by Katalyst Space Technologies and launched by Northrop Grumman, successfully lifted off aboard a Pegasus rocket from the Marshall Islands on Friday. The rocket was released from the underside of a modified aircraft before carrying the spacecraft into orbit.
The mission had originally been scheduled for Tuesday but was delayed due to poor weather conditions and technical issues. The successful launch took place at 08:36 GMT.
The $30 million project is designed to rescue NASA’s Swift Observatory, a space telescope launched in 2004 that has been gradually losing altitude due to increased atmospheric drag caused by recent solar storms.
Swift, which cost around $250 million to build, is renowned for studying gamma-ray bursts—the universe’s most powerful explosions. Without intervention, the observatory would eventually re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up.
The Link spacecraft is expected to reach Swift in about a month. After arriving in a nearby orbit, it will deploy its solar panels and carry out a series of system checks before beginning the delicate task of locating the telescope.
Mission controllers will then guide the spacecraft through a series of complex manoeuvres, including circling the observatory and attaching to it using three robotic arms. The docking process alone is expected to take several weeks.
If the operation is successful, Link will gradually raise Swift’s orbit by approximately 300 kilometres (186 miles), returning it close to its original altitude. That orbital boost is expected to take at least one month to complete.
NASA officials say the mission is the first attempt to use a robotic spacecraft to extend the operational life of an existing scientific satellite, potentially opening the door for similar rescue missions in the future.
“This is a lot of firsts stacked on top of each other,” said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, director of NASA’s Astrophysics Division. “We’re grateful that we’re even getting the opportunity to try.”
If successful, the mission could demonstrate a new way of extending the lifespan of valuable satellites, reducing space debris, and lowering the cost of future space operations.
