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Commercial Spacecraft for NASA’s Swift Boost Continues Tech Demo [1]

['Alise Fisher']

Date: 2026-09-04  

Commercial Spacecraft for NASA’s Swift Boost Continues Tech Demo

A solar panel on Katalyst Space’s LINK robotic servicing spacecraft is seen in orbit, in this image captured by one of LINK’s cameras on August 24, 2026. Katalyst Space

This week, Katalyst Space conducted in-space tests and maneuvers to exercise the capabilities of its robotic servicing spacecraft, LINK.

NASA and Katalyst scaled back a mission that would have used LINK to boost the agency’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher altitude, because of attitude control issues with LINK. However, Katalyst continues to demonstrate as many of LINK’s capabilities in space as possible, to collect data to inform future spacecraft servicing technology and operations.

Over the past few days, Katalyst raised LINK’s orbit and made adjustments to align with Swift’s orbit. The team also deployed all three of LINK’s robotic arms and fired all three of the electric propulsion thrusters at the same time.

LINK fires all three of its xenon-fueled thrusters simultaneously in this image captured by the spacecraft on August 30, 2026 Katalyst Space

LINK came within 7.5 to 9 miles (12 to 15 kilometers) of Swift. LINK will not make any closer approach to Swift throughout its remaining operations in orbit. The Katalyst team estimates LINK will deorbit after another 2 to 3 weeks.

Monitor the Swift blog for more updates:

https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift

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[1] Url: https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/swift/2026/09/04/commercial-spacecraft-for-nasas-swift-boost-continues-tech-demo/

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