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NereideJune 19, 2026 at 5:11 PM UTC

1/6 The LINK spacecraft built by Katalyst Space Technologies has been integrated onto the Pegasus XL rocket, according to NASA's plan to save its Swift space telescope. It will launch later this month for the mission to boost the telescope.🔭🧪⚛️ science.nasa.gov

2/6 Swift’s orbit has been decaying faster than expected due to increased solar activity. Without a boost, the 22-year-old observatory could re-enter Earth’s atmosphere by the end of 2026. 3/6 In just 7 months, Katalyst built the 400 kg LINK servicing spacecraft under a $30M NASA contract. Its job: rendezvous with Swift, capture it with three robotic arms, and boost it to a higher, stable orbit. 4/6 On June 9, 2026, LINK was integrated onto the Northrop Grumman Pegasus XL rocket at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. The rocket will be carried by the modified L-1011 aircraft “Stargazer” to Kwajalein Atoll for launch. 5/6 This is the first time NASA is attempting a robotic capture and orbital boost of an active scientific satellite. A successful outcome could extend Swift’s operations by several years. 6/6 Swift studies gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic transients. The astronomy community is following the mission. Fingers crossed for a successful launch and boost!