LINK UPDATEs

During commissioning, the Katalyst team encountered a series of technical issues related to attitude control of the spacecraft. Over the last 72 hours, the LINK spacecraft has been in a multi-axis spin, causing a temporary loss of communications and subsequent bus reset.

Currently, the LINK spacecraft has two of three reaction wheels non-functional and partial RCS functionality.

LINK’s other major subsystems, electric propulsion, robotics, RPO sensing, and power are functioning properly, as well as S-band and L-band communications.

Over the coming days, Katalyst will work to reduce the body rates using the gimbaled electric propulsion thrusters and stabilize the spacecraft. We have already begun this series of burns and are seeing the intended effect. 

We anticipate the following steps over the next few weeks:

• Update the guidance, navigation, and control schemes to reflect the current spacecraft configuration

• Verify and validate the updated control schemes and FSW with end-to-end simulation and ground testing to thoroughly understand the interactions between subsystems with the updated configuration

• Maneuver to co-elliptical with Swift using the updated control schemes

• Perform inspection of Swift and other RPO activities

• Attempt a capture of Swift, pending spacecraft state of health and safety

While these technical issues require a revised approach, our team is working around the clock alongside our NASA partners. The mission remains active and we continue to believe that with these changes, LINK has a viable path to rendezvous with Swift.

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Since launch, Mission Operations has been working hard to commission LINK, bringing new systems online, validating spacecraft performance, and tuning the spacecraft ahead of rendezvous with NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

As part of that process, LINK has been gradually increasing the duration of its thruster burns to prepare for the longer, multi-hour burns it will execute in the rendezvous phase.

The team is working around the clock to complete spacecraft commissioning, with key systems, including communications, propulsion, and power, coming online. We're about halfway through commissinoing. Once commissioning is complete, LINK will be underway to rendezvous with NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

Since launch, the team has:

• Deployed LINK’s solar arrays, so the spacecraft can generate and store its own power
• Established routine communications, receiving telemetry from LINK and sending commands back to the spacecraft
• Begun checkout of LINK's propulsion system. This includes the Hall effect thrusters that will take the spacecraft to Swift and perform the orbital boost, and the reaction control system (RCS) thrusters which will provide the precise maneuvering needed to safely capture Swift

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Over the next few weeks, the team will continue verifying spacecraft performance, completing system checkouts, and preparing LINK for rendezvous with Swift. This time was built into the mission plan to evaluate the spacecraft's performance in orbit and make any adjustments needed before the next phase of the mission.

Mission Operations has successfully communicated with LINK. This confirms the spacecraft is operating on orbit, generating power, and transmitting telemetry, allowing the Katalyst team to begin on-orbit commissioning and system checkouts.

Nine months after receiving the contract to design and build a robotic spacecraft to boost NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, LINK is communicating from orbit.

‍LINK launched aboard Northrop Grumman's Pegasus XL rocket on July 3 at 8:36PM in Kwajalein Atoll (4:36AM ET) and has reached orbit. Katalyst Mission Operations is now working through the next planned mission milestones, beginning with acquisition of signal and initial spacecraft checkout.

The next launch attempt for the Swift Boost mission has been confirmed for no earlier than July 3, 4:35AM ET.

The launch of Katalyst’s robotic servicing spacecraft LINK has been postponed.

Following an update from Northrop Grumman, a launch vehicle issue after takeoff of the L-1011 Stargazer aircraft temporarily prevented deployment of the Pegasus XL rocket.

Katalyst has confirmed that LINK is secure and ready for flight.

The date of the next launch attempt for this mission will be determined after teams have reviewed data from today’s attempt.

Launch has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. The next launch attempt is targeted for no earlier than July 2, 5:09AM ET.

LINK remains securely encapsulated in the Pegasus XL rocket and ready for flight.

The Swift mission launch has been postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions, and is now targeting no earlier than July 1, at 5:43AM ET.

LINK remains ready for flight, and our team is continuing to work closely with NASA and Northrop Grumman as we prepare for the next launch opportunity.