NASA's First Privately Hired Spacecraft Is Spinning Out of Control

NASA and Katalyst Space confirmed LINK, the first private spacecraft hired to lift a NASA telescope, is tumbling after two of three internal flywheels — spinning parts that keep a craft pointed the right way — failed, along with a propulsion glitch. Launched July 3 to raise the Swift telescope before an October deadline, LINK is spinning, cutting communications. Controllers are trying backup thrusters; Katalyst reports "seeing the intended effect."