私营企业Katalyst Space Technologies的Link救援卫星成功接近了NASA的Swift望远镜，最近距离达到15公里，并收集了关键数据，但因燃料耗尽而最终放弃了拯救这台老化天文仪器的任务1。NASA为此次救援尝试向Katalyst支付了3000万美元1。这项行动原本旨在将Swift推升至更高轨道以延长其服役年限，但Link卫星在7月发射后不久陷入失控旋转，消耗了大量燃料用于稳定自身，导致救援计划于8月正式取消1。
Swift望远镜自2004年发射以来已投入使用，近来受到太阳活动加剧的影响，轨道衰减速度加快1。NASA预计该望远镜将在10月至年底期间坠入地球大气层1。NASA管理员Jared Isaacman对救援失败表示："不幸的是，这不是我们预期的结果，但这正是我们应该在NASA执行的任务类型"1。与此同时，Katalyst正在开发新一代卫星，计划用于将已有36年历史的哈勃太空望远镜推升至更长的使用寿命轨道1。
The Link rescue satellite, operated by private company Katalyst Space Technologies, successfully approached NASA's deteriorating Swift telescope to within 15 kilometers and gathered photographic data, yet ultimately abandoned its rescue mission due to insufficient fuel 1. The operation aimed to boost Swift to a higher orbit and extend its operational lifespan, but the Link satellite fell into uncontrolled spin shortly after its July launch, consuming substantial fuel reserves in stabilization efforts before the rescue was formally cancelled in August 1.
NASA had contracted Katalyst Space Technologies for the attempted rescue at a cost of $30 million 1. Swift, originally launched in 2004, has experienced accelerated orbital decay as heightened solar activity intensified 1. The telescope is now expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere sometime between October and year-end 1. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledged the outcome, stating: "Unfortunately, this is not the result we expected, but this is exactly the type of mission we should be executing at NASA" 1.
Looking forward, Katalyst is developing a next-generation satellite designed to boost the 36-year-old Hubble Space Telescope to an orbit supporting an extended operational lifespan 1.
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