The U.S. space agency, NASA, is embarking on a significant mission to save an aging space telescope decreasing in altitude. The operation, valued at $30 million, involves sending a robotic lifeline into space to help the Swift Observatory maintain its orbit. The startup Katalyst Space Technologies has been commissioned by NASA to elevate the observatory’s orbit, ensuring it can continue detecting cosmic explosions.
Swift, launched in 2004, faces rapid descent due to intense solar activity. To survive, it needs a higher, stable orbit. The Hubble Space Telescope, also at risk, may follow Swift’s trajectory if successful. Ghonhee Lee, CEO of Katalyst Space, mentions their next-gen robot could potentially rescue the significantly larger Hubble in a few years.
This mission is groundbreaking for the U.S., following a successful Chinese attempt to boost a satellite to a higher orbit four years ago. Lee expressed this mission’s importance as a new capability available to U.S. space operations. The mission will involve Katalyst’s autonomous spacecraft, Link, which will take approximately a month to reach and capture Swift, and additional months to adjust its orbit from the current 360 kilometers to the target 600 kilometers.
Link, about the size of a kitchen fridge, uses its three arms, each with a reach of over a meter and equipped with grippers, to perform the delicate task. If the operation succeeds, Swift could be fully operational again by September.
Swift, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, was never intended for repair, making this mission a challenge. NASA’s contract with Katalyst emphasizes urgency without adverse consequences. Despite skepticism, NASA officials, like Shawn Domagal-Goldman from its Astrophysics division, are impressed with the progress made by Katalyst within nine months.
To decelerate Swift’s descent, NASA powered down all scientific instruments in February, pausing its observations. According to Nicky Fox, NASA’s Chief of Science Missions, losing Swift would be significant due to budget constraints preventing replacement construction.
Swift is valuable for its ability to promptly identify astronomical events like gamma-ray bursts and stellar explosions. With anticipated discoveries from the upcoming Webb and Roman Space Telescopes, Swift could remain a critical part of NASA’s research efforts if rescued.
This mission marks the start for Katalyst’s space repair business. Their new-generation robotic rescuer, planned for launch next year, will handle satellites at altitudes up to 35,800 kilometers. Lee envisions a future with hundreds of orbiting robots, performing satellite maintenance, fuel replenishment, and constructing infrastructures like solar farms and data centers.
The 36-year-old Hubble, previously serviced by astronauts during the shuttle era, could see life extension by Katalyst potentially in 2028. Fox emphasizes Hubble’s value as a national treasure beloved by many.
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