Katalyst Space readies major software patch for LINK as spin slows toward Swift rescue

Katalyst Space announced that the LINK vehicle’s spin rate has fallen to 1.47 degrees per second, a marked improvement from the initial 9 degrees per second recorded at the start of recovery efforts. To adapt to the spacecraft’s degraded attitude-control system—only one reaction wheel remains functional and the reaction control system is partially impaired—the team will deploy a major flight-software update. This update is designed to restore full attitude control, allowing LINK to execute the phasing burns required to align its orbit with NASA’s Swift observatory.

During the stabilization effort, an electric thruster consumed under 100 grams of propellant, conserving the xenon fuel needed for the later rendezvous and boost phases. LINK’s three ion thrusters are powered by roughly 130 pounds of xenon. The ultimate goal remains to capture Swift with LINK’s robotic arms, raise its orbit to about 370 miles, and then release the spacecraft for re-entry.