# Link spacecraft

Type: Company

Source: Space & Defense Intelligence Brief — https://getspacebrief.com/entity/link-spacecraft-company
Canonical HTML page: https://getspacebrief.com/entity/link-spacecraft-company

## Timeline

- **2026-08-19**: Rescue mission called off — NASA and Katalyst announce Link will not attempt to capture Swift because of spacecraft control problems; reentry is expected no earlier than October 2026.
- **2026-07**: Link rescue spacecraft launched — Katalyst Space Technologies launches Link under a $30 million NASA contract to boost Swift from 345 km to 600 km altitude.
- **2026**: Science instruments shut off — NASA turns off Swift's instruments to slow orbital decay caused by intense solar activity.
- **2004**: Swift Observatory launched — NASA launches Swift to detect gamma-ray bursts and exploding stars; it would operate for more than 20 years.

## Recent coverage (1 stories)

### NASA Swift Rescue Fails After $30M Mission; Reentry Looms
2026-08-20 14:57:11 · Sentiment: Neutral · Impact: 5/10 · Sources: 5

The failed $30 million backup mission for NASA's aging Swift Observatory raises new questions about commercial on-orbit servicing reliability. With Link unable to control itself in close proximity, Swift will reenter the atmosphere after 20 years of gamma-ray science.
Full story: https://getspacebrief.com/story/swift-rescue-called-off-2026

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