NASA and Katalyst Cancel Swift Observatory Reboost; Satellite Set to Burn Up

NASA and Katalyst Space scrapped plans for the Link spacecraft to capture and reboost the Swift Observatory after an unresolved attitude control problem — meaning Swift could not hold the orientation needed for servicing. Swift, launched in 2004 to study gamma-ray bursts, will re-enter the atmosphere and burn up later this year. Katalyst's $30 million contract launched Link on July 3rd; the issues began by month's end.