NASA has embarked on a high-stakes mission to rescue a $500 million astronomy satellite at risk of crashing back to Earth. The space agency asked three companies to propose a solution, and Katalyst Space Technologies, a startup founded in 2020, presented the most compelling plan.
The mission involves building and launching a small satellite to chase down the Swift astronomy mission and latch onto it with three robotic arms. The satellite, called Link, will then boost Swift's orbit back to a safe operating altitude, allowing it to resume scientific observations.
The success of this mission is far from guaranteed, but NASA considers the fact that they are attempting it a success in itself. With a tight budget and a deadline of less than a year, the mission is a bold undertaking.
