Of course, as we noted here two days ago — NASA itself, since it is responsible for the Swift space ‘scope — updated its status, on July 28, 2026.
To be fair, the news was fairly ominous — and doubtful, for the prospects of “boosting” the aging Swift — up, to a higher, safer orbit.
Yet, the commercial venture tasked with grappling the ‘scope — and then powering it up to a higher altitude… has fallen silent, for 15 long days.
The company’s last word was that “all was well“ — on July 15. [And, yes — I do understand “for profit” market dynamics. . . but in truth, it pains me to have to write this — about a Colorado front range company.]
So — we continue to wait. We wait to hear from NASA, if it still independently thinks the craft will be safe to try an approach toward Swift — and then to grapple it — and then, to try to boost it… with its Xenon-fired engines.
The waiting… is often… the hardest part.
But Katalyst leadership would behoove themselves to be candid, magnanimous, forthright and timely — and at least cop to what NASA has already shared with the planet.
We are all on the same team here, people — and we all well know… space is… a mug. It. is. HARD. But let’s at least own up to the facts (as now known).
Onward.
नमस्ते