NASA's First Private Observatory-Boosting Spacecraft Is Spinning Out of Control

NASA and Katalyst Space confirmed LINK — the first private spacecraft hired to reboost a NASA observatory — is tumbling after two of three reaction wheels (devices that orient a craft by spinning internal masses) failed, along with a thruster malfunction. Launched July 3 to lift the Swift gamma-ray telescope before an October deadline, LINK is spinning, disrupting comms. Controllers are trying alternative thrusters; Katalyst reports "seeing the intended effect."