This is the ambitious private mission to grapple a handle on to the aging Swift space telescope, and power it up, into a new and higher orbit.
As we earlier reported, shortly after lift off, the spacecraft experienced erratic behavior in at least one of its gyro-wheels, causing it to over-rotate, and potentially thus fail to fully charge its solar batteries. The team thought they had solved that issue. However, some version of that issue has returned this past weekend — now more vexing — as two of the three gyro wheels are not operating properly.
As we always say, space is… hard.
Here’s the latest tonight, from the team’s blog — on the NASA website — do keep your fingers crossed:
…Over the weekend, Katalyst’s LINK servicing spacecraft experienced issues with attitude control, causing the spacecraft to spin and resulting in sporadic communications. Preliminary investigation shows that two of LINK’s three reaction wheels currently are not operable, and there is some loss of functionality in its cold gas thruster system. LINK is designed to approach, capture, and boost NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbital altitude.
LINK’s other major subsystems are functioning as expected. The spacecraft remains power positive and in communication with the Katalyst team.
The team is working to stop LINK’s spin over the next few days, using the spacecraft’s electric propulsion thrusters. After reestablishing stable attitude and further investigating spacecraft status, Katalyst plans to update LINK’s guidance, navigation, and control to accommodate the spacecraft’s new configuration. Working closely with NASA teams, they will then evaluate revised plans to approach and capture Swift, depending on safety of the approach and LINK’s health….
We will keep a good thought — and post updates, as, if and/or when the NASA blog publishes additional updates. Yikes. Let’s hope Swift may still be saved from a fiery death, next year.
नमस्ते
Powerline Lies... 