Katalyst Space prepares software update for LINK spacecraft as spin rate slows

The LINK spacecraft, launched in July to raise the orbit of NASA's Swift observatory, has slowed its spin to about 1.47 degrees per second, down from roughly 9 degrees per second when recovery efforts began, Katalyst Space said. The company indicated the reduced rotation will be maintained while it readies the next mission phase.

Katalyst Space announced that a flight-software update will be uploaded to the vehicle to compensate for the loss of much of its original attitude-control hardware. The update is intended to restore full attitude control and enable the phasing maneuvers required to align LINK’s orbit with Swift.

The firm also reported that less than 100 grams of propellant were used by one of LINK’s electric thrusters to regain control, conserving fuel for the upcoming rendezvous and boost phases. NASA lists the spacecraft’s three ion thrusters as being supplied with about 130 pounds (60 kilograms) of xenon gas.

The cause of the attitude-control failure remains unknown. Earlier statements from Katalyst Space noted a series of technical issues during commissioning, leaving only one of three reaction wheels functional and providing only partial reaction-control-system capability.

If the software update proceeds as planned, the next steps will involve a rendezvous and capture of the Swift observatory using LINK’s three robotic arms, followed by a gradual lift of Swift to an orbit near its original 370-mile (600-kilometer) altitude over several months. After the mission, LINK is expected to detach and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere.