Katalyst Space successfully uploaded a flight software update for its LINK spacecraft, which is set to boost NASAтАЩs Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory to a higher orbit. The software updateтАЩs new attitude control algorithms are designed to maintain LINKтАЩs stability using the spacecraftтАЩs remaining actuators.
The teamтАЩs work has prepared LINK to continue its approach toward Swift, before attempting to capture and raise Swift to a higher orbital altitude. Katalyst will continue to work closely with NASA, evaluating LINKтАЩs performance at each phase, as the team performs a series of burns and maneuvers in the coming days to align LINKтАЩs orbit with Swift.
In the meantime, the Swift team continues with its┬аinnovative new approach┬аto operating the observatory, which has successfully reduced drag and slowed SwiftтАЩs orbital decay. Swift is currently at an altitude of about┬а216┬аmiles (347┬аkilometers). An orbit-raising maneuver would become more difficult below an average altitude of about 185 miles (300 kilometers).┬а┬а
Learn more fromтАпKatalyst, and monitor NASAтАЩs Swift blog for continued updates:тАп┬а
