NASA Swift rescue mission spins into trouble during commissioning

Two reaction wheels are out and comms sporadic as controllers work to stabilize LINK

Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft is having some attitude problems on its way to rescue NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, resulting in a multi-axis spin and loss of communications.

LINK has three reaction wheels for attitude control, pointing, and stability, but the company said two are currently not operable. NASA reported some loss of functionality in its cold-gas thruster system as well.

LINK remains in contact with its controllers despite the sporadic communications, and its other major subsystems are operating as expected.

The problems began over the weekend, and the team is using LINK's electric propulsion thrusters to halt the spin. If it can restore a stable attitude, Katalyst will update the guidance, navigation, and control system for the spacecraft's new configuration before considering revised plans to approach and capture Swift.

LINK was built to rescue Swift...

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